The directors of St. Joseph’s General Hospital Foundation wish to announce that the Foundation has received a substantial bequest from the Estate of Joyce Katherine Ashley. Mrs. Ashley, a Comox Valley resident and a strong supporter of the Foundation, who passed away earlier this year, at the age of 87.

Chris Kelsey, Joyce’s friend, lawyer, and executor, explains the motivation behind her gift: “Since moving to the Valley from North Vancouver in 1993, Joyce had a close affinity with St. Joseph’s Hospital. Over the years, Joyce and her spouse, Jack Davey, had experienced various health problems, and they came to know St. Joseph’s well. Joyce often commented on the quality care and compassion that she and Jack received during their stays in the hospital, and she felt that by leaving a substantial gift to the Hospital, it was a way of helping others and saying ‘thank you’ to all those involved with their care.

One of Joyce’s main passions was breeding and showing Dalmatians, a hobby that allowed her to travel and make a number of close friends throughout North America. Joyce also provided bequests to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and her gift to the Hospital, which is in excess of $150,000, will be of direct benefit to everyone in the Comox Valley.