Joyce loved people! She loved babies and children and teens and seniors and everyone in between. She loved her students. She loved the Haitians she served on her many mission trips and the teachers she mentored in her ministry to Christian schools, both in Eastern Canada and in Haiti. She dearly loved her family and her church family and her friends. She freely and generously gave of her time, energy, expertise, possessions, and money to bless others.

We miss her greatly and we sorrow deeply -- but not as those who have no hope. Our hope is in the Lord, as was Joyce’s hope -- and the Lord was her only hope, both in life and in death. Although her “good deeds” were so very many, those deeds were never in any way her hope of heaven. She saw herself as a sinner in need of a Saviour and she looked only to Jesus for forgiveness and a place in his eternal kingdom. As must we all.

We will meet Joyce again on the other side, but until then, may Joyce’s trust in Christ alone for salvation, her great love for others, and her life well lived be an example to those who knew her -- she has set the bar high.

Ms. Baker was one of the teachers at London Baptist Bible College that God used to prepare me for ministry here in Jamaica. I am saddened by her passing, but happy she knows the Lord personally. I look forward to our reunion in heaven. My condolences to her family and friends!

Joyce and I became friends at Victory Heights Baptist Church in London! Joyce worked with the teens then and had a great influence on my oldest son! When I met my husband I remember saying to her that I felt like I was losing myself and she told me no one could do that to me that I would always be me, a child of God! She will definitely be missed!

Bonnie and Family,

So sorry for your loss.

Although I did not know Joyce I heard so many wonderful things about

as a sister, aunt and professional.

Her influence will be felt forever through time.

May God give you strength through the coming days.

Prayers,

Donna Smith

I met Joyce for the first time when she became the principal at Central Baptist Academy but didn't get to know her on a personal level until we attended The Meeting House. Joyce was always so cheerful and eager to share her faith. She will be missed. I will miss the conversations we had and the wisdom she had to share. Sending hugs and prayers to her family. Joyce will never be forgotten.

When I (Linda) think of Joyce I think of her as encouraging and full of faith. She so often had a kind word to say and could see with Jesus' eyes, the potential He has in everyone. Our whole family was blessed by Joyce as our children's principal at C.B.A. and my principal at B.C.C. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joyce's family and close friends. It is such a comfort to know Joyce is in Jesus' arms forever.

Sincere sympathy and prayers,

Linda and Willi Wiesner and family

4 years ago when I lost my friend, I was processing some big questions and deep in grief. I turned to Joyce Baker as a trusted friend and faith leader to help me work through it all. Joyce had some pretty important words to say in this email to me, which reading back now, I think are so special to have in this moment. She wrote:

“‘Why’ is the question that we who are still alive will alway ask when we lose someone we love. We are left with such a hole in our lives. We see her death as robbing her of all the potential life that she could have shared with her friends, family - the world. We hurt tremendously because of our loss. We try to answer the question from our perspective instead of hers.

For her, she is now in the arms of jesus. As I read some of her blogs, I hear her heart as it was longing to reach out to others about Jesus - she wanted others to enjoy their life as followers of Jesus with the knowledge that it would prepare them for the greater life to be had in His actual presence - the presence in which she is now delighting!

Paul the apostle once said that for him to live was so that he could teach people about Jesus Christ, but he saw death as a personal gain [Philippians 1:21]. She lived a life, though short, that testifies to Jesus’ love and His desire that people would come to Him. Now, she is enjoying that life which she shared so readily about with others - life in the presence of Jesus! We who remain are the ones living with questions and the sting and pain of our loss - with lots of tears!- but not her! Just imagine what she would be shouting to us from heaven if she had a PA system :) Perhaps something like “I know you miss me and are grieving that I’m not with you - for now - but I am thrilled to be with Jesus- and look forward to what you will do for Him until you finally get to be here with us too”. What a concept! I wonder how her loss with spur many people in their walk with Jesus? I think that would be her prayer.

Do talk about her with whomever you feel comfortable. Tell lots of stories and celebrate her life with people who knew her and didn’t know her - even if there are tears! May her passion for Jesus be continued in you and all her friends. And imagine her cheering you on as she celebrates with Jesus!”

Can’t you just hear her voice in this letter?! So excited and passionate about Jesus as she always was.

She is dearly missed by her Meeting House family, and we are all praying for her family during this time. What a light she was

Joyce was my education professor at LBBC. How many lives were touched and transformed not only by her, but by extension through all those she taught to teach others??? You will be missed, Joyce. But we will meet again!! Reunion day is coming!!!

Aunt Joyce you were a huge part of my life and I want to than k you for always being there for Kathy and I. Thank you for being a great principal to me when I was attending CBA and thank you for all the times you helped Ted and Kristene with me. Thank you for being so welcoming to me when I attended Uncle Roy's funeral and for welcoming me and Kathy to the meeting house. I am very sad that you are gone you really blessed Kathy and I and we will miss you alot. Love Catlin

Sending my love and condolences to the Baker family on the “homegoing” of Joyce. “Absent from the body and present with the Lord.” I am sorry I won’t be able to join you for her”celebration of life” but you will be in my thoughts. Love, Aunt Eleanor

Dear Bonnie and Lori and all of Joyce’s family,

My most heartfelt condolences to all of you!

I met Joyce through our home church group, The Meeting House. A boisterous, uplifting, caring and welcoming person each and every time we got together! Oh she will be missed greatly!

And for you her family, the loss and grief is huge! I’m praying for you, that Jesus, who Joyce is safely with now, will give you comfort.

Joyce loved you, I know you already know that, but she spoke of you so often and her love for you so endearing! She loved to share little happenings in her nieces/nephews and the greats, lives.

Her celebration of life will be a beautiful way to honour her!

Until then, know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy Lamain

Im so sorry for your loss. Joyce was a good influence in my life. My parents were missionaries and every four years we would land into Brantford and attend Central Baptist Church - Joyce worked with the youth there. I became friends with her niece Judy. I admire Joyce for putting up such a valiente fight and standing firm in her faith, service to the Lord to the end. Her witness to us all will stay with me forever; for she shone out the Gospel of Christ and the love of God - I saw in her that verse, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” We will all miss you Joyce. Sending a hug to you Judy ❤️ From me Karen Verdoold (Greenslade)

She was a great teacher, principal, mentor, sister in Christ, and dear friend! She will live on in the teachers that she taught. There are too many "Joycisms" to share! Joyce was a founding mother of Christian education in Ontario and we stand on her shoulders moving forward. She accomplished one of her life goals of having more letters after her name than in it. We will miss her deeply! Paul & Elisa Branan (and yes, out kids did call her Aunt Joyce!)