Marion Winnifred Boyce

Marion Winnifred Boyce (nee Puncher), in her 98th year, after a short illness, passed away peacefully at Andrews of Stratford, with daughter, Heather and son, Graham by her side.

Marion was a formidable but compassionate and loving woman; a nurse, a violinist, a wife and mother, a traveller, she brought commitment and intensity to everything she undertook.

Marion was an only child, born in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on June 27, 1928, to Florence (nee MacNeil) and Frank Puncher. She grew up in central Charlottetown and attended Prince Street School and Prince of Wales College. For one year she studied music at Mount Allison University before deciding to make nursing her career

In her own words, Marion enjoyed a “marvelous life”. On a personal level, her love and respect for her late husband, James Keith Boyce, endured undiminished over the 29 years since his premature death at age 72. They had retired in their 50s and spent many happy years wintering in Florida as well as trailering and playing music with friends in P.E.I. She was well-pleased with Heather and Graham referring to them often as “my dear, darling children” and loved son-in-law, Sean, as a treasured part of her small family.

Professionally, Marion was a proud registered nurse who studied at the P.E.I. Hospital School of Nursing. As a young graduate, she took positions in hospitals in the U.S. before returning to P.E.I., where she went on to supervise care for new-borns in the P.E.I. Hospital nursery and later, seniors at the Livingston and McArthur Nursing Home. She made and retained many friendships with her nursing colleagues over her career. 

Music was central to Marion’s life. As a violinist from the tender age of 5, Marion played in multiple contexts. from the P.E.I. Symphony, to Charlottetown ceilidhs and parties, to bands in Florida, Vancouver, and Toronto where her “Three Generations Band” played at seniors residences across the Greater Toronto Area . From 2022, at Andrews of Stratford, Marion entertained regularly until a few weeks before her passing. Playing violin was one of her life’s greatest joys.

Marion loved to travel with family in their early years, often trailering in eastern Canada and the US. In middle age, she travelled with a group of nurses from across Canada to China, Japan, and Hawaii. After many winters in Florida and Keith’s death, she travelled extensively around North America by train. Later, both solo and with friends, she experienced trips and cruises to the U.K., Alaska, Hawaii, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean.

At the age of 78, Marion bravely relocated, on her own, to the more temperate climate of Vancouver and spent six years making many new friends and playing music on the beautiful Pacific coast. In 2013, she moved to Toronto to be near her daughter, where she spent seven years before returning to PEI during the pandemic. Marion made a home at Andrews of Stratford where the wonderful staff and health care team saw her through her active 90s until her short illness and death.

Marion is survived by her loving family; daughter, Heather Boyce (Sean Kilbride) and son, Graham Boyce.

Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home where a visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25th from 4:00-7:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the Belvedere Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 26th at 11:00 am. 

In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations in memory of Marion may be made to a charity of your choice.

Memories and messages of condolence in memory of Marion may be shared with the family on her obituary page at www.belvederefh.com.