Date of Birth: April 15, 1940
Date of Death: February 14, 2026
Leaving behind beautiful memories and a family who loved her beyond measure, Joyce passed away after a brief illness. She lived life to the fullest — a life shaped by courage, resilience, kindness, and the steady rhythm of her hardworking hands.
Born to Janet and Adam Hilderman, and raised on the farm near Govan, Joyce graduated then worked at Sask Wheat Pool. In 1958, she married Cliff Olson, and they settled on the farm near Govan, welcoming three children: Jo-Anne, Shelley and Boyd. In 1966, the family moved into town and purchased a café. Operating a cafe, keeping the kids in matching outfits she sewed, Joyce still found time to pitch for the local women’s fastball team and what an arm she had. She had an ear for music and was self taught on the accordion and keyboard, Granny often joined her on the harmonica for some rockin’ jam sessions.
The family relocated to Fort Qu’Appelle in 1974, where Joyce pursued her true calling in natural health. She opened JayCee Health Hut, sold vitamins and immersed herself in studies of Remedial Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, and Iridology — quickly becoming a trusted source of healing and comfort. Her entrepreneurial spirit flourished with the launch of Echo Fashions in Fort Qu’Appelle, later expanding to summer boutiques at Regina Beach and Katepwa, and hosting many fashion shows through the years. In the 1980s, she built a new store and, always up for a challenge, she added custom embroidery and screen printing to the mix, becoming Echo Fashions & Designs.
Joyce moved to Sandy Beach with Mel in the mid 80s and they spent many happy years together, hosting family celebrations, dancing and camping in the motorhome. They spent many winters in Arizona and motor homed through Alaska and the Maritimes.
Joyce had her dream home built in 2011, a gathering place filled with family, friends and treasured memories.
When Joyce retired in 2014, she still was often seen in her sewing room at Echo Fashions, hemming, altering and fixing. She spent time travelling, went on her first cruise then decided to stay closer to home. She bought a motorhome and still enjoyed local camping well into her 80s. As mom would’ve wanted it, she hosted and attended family dinners, drove way too fast and continued to get speeding tickets until the end. Lucky she was a good driver!
Mom wore many hats through the years as she grew her businesses and enjoyed the friends she met along the way. She handled the tough times with grace and made the hard work and sacrifice look effortless. Young at heart, willing to learn and fearless, she lived life to the fullest and made us so proud.
She is survived by her children:
• Jo Anne Kline (Darren), grandson Trevor Huber
• Shelley Wright (Swayde), grandson Jayden Wright (Shanelle) and great-granddaughter Calixte, granddaughter Nightli Wright
• Boyd Olson, granddaughter Raina and grandson Austin Olson
She is survived by siblings Anita Olson, Vivian Horosko (Don), and Murray Hilderman (Pat).
Joyce was predeceased by her partner of 27 years and friend, Mel Anderson, her friend and father of her children, Cliff Olson, parents Janet and Adam Hilderman, sister Eileen Brewer (Roland), sister and brother-in-law, Elsie Buchanan and Allan Olson.
Celebration of Life: Fort Qu’Appelle Legion, Saturday, April 11, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
You stitched our clothes, you stitched our wounds, you stitched our family together with threads no one could see but we could feel.
You taught us that strength can be gentle, that love can be practical, how to laugh through the hard parts, and how to make something good out of whatever life placed in our hands. Your love— quiet, steady, and always there even when life felt too heavy to hold.
You aren’t just a memory. You are the echo of music in a room now still. We miss you more than words can say.
