GIFFORD, Mary Joyce Mary Joyce Gifford (Jody), nee Oliver, died peacefully January 20 in Ottawa. Born in Canterbury, England June 27, 1917 to Gilbert Oliver and Winnifred Maud Kelway, she grew up in Canada from age three, in North Bay and then Montreal. She was married to Giff Gifford from 1942 to 1976 and they raised four children together. She will be deeply missed by family and friends who will remember her searching mind, elegance, joy and warmth. She is survived by children Heather, Jocelyn and Brian, daughter-in-law Terri Henderson, grandchildren Geordi, Jessica, Deveri, Hannah, Reid, Andrea, Lauren, Kelly and Dylan, sister Marie Lloyd-Smith and brother Peter Oliver. She was pre-deceased by son Chris, sister Johnty, brothers Michael and John Oliver, and former husband Giff. Joyce graduated from Westmount High School and in 1939 received a BA First Class Honours in History from McGill. She earned a Quebec High School Teachers Certificate in 1940 and taught for over 10 years in 7 schools and colleges. Religion and spirituality were important to Joyce. Her father was the Reverend Canon Gilbert Oliver, Anglican priest at St. Matthias' Church in Westmount. At McGill she joined the Student Christian Movement and then became a Unitarian Universalist. She was chaplain for the Universalist Unitarian Church in Halifax in 1977-8 and the First Unitarian Congregation in Ottawa, from 1981 to 1997, presiding over hundreds of weddings, memorial services and child dedications. This work held great meaning for her, combining the ritual of her Anglican upbringing and the liberal beliefs of her Unitarian faith. She also participated in a bi-weekly women's spirituality circle for many years. Jody maintained a sense of adventure to the end and loved skating on the canal, canoeing, swimming, and hiking. She kept in close touch with her children, grandchildren and close friends and she enjoyed visiting family and friends in the Brooke Valley area near Perth, including supporting the annual Perth Studio Tour. She strongly supported progressive social policy and the NDP and was an independent thinker and feminist. She provided a home for several Viet Nam war resistors. Honest in relationships and in confronting life's challenges, she was strong willed and colourful. On her own at 59 she created a new life, entering her most satisfying vocation, the chaplaincy and demonstrating her belief in the possibilities of life at any age. The family wishes especially to thank the staff at Rideau Gardens and health professionals for their care. A memorial service will be held Sunday, January 29 at 3 PM at the First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa. Donations may be made to the UU Partner Church project, OXFAM or the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 1/23/2006