Obituary of Jocelyn Sybil Cory

Rest in Peace Dear Mother, Grandmother and Friend Jocelyn Sybil Cory passed peacefully at home in the arms of her daughters and surrounded by loved ones on October 21, 2014. Jocelyn was born October 6, 1921 in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada to Purcell and Hazel Doncaster. Her father served in World War One and was a civil engineer for the Canadian Government prompting many moves. Her parents turned each move into a fantastical adventure complete with found treasure chests, fairies in the attic and picnics in the woods. The second youngest of five children, (Joy, Mary, John, Joe) Jocelyn embraced this spirit of creativity and adventure and carried it with her the rest of her life. In 1945 she married Ross McGolrick in Fort William, Ontario (aka "The Lakehead" now called Thunder Bay) and had three children George, Herbert (Bert) and Lynne. They built a house in the country and grew their own food and even raised a few pigs and chickens. Eventually, their lives took different directions and the family separated. In 1959, Jocelyn married Patrick Cory and together they set off on a new adventure to America. In an old Studebaker, with Lynne in the back seat and soon-to-be-born daughter, Susan, on the way, they left Canada's cold and arrived in sunny Santa Monica, California on a hot August Day. Pat started selling California land, Susan was born and they soon settled in Thousand Oaks, California. They gathered with other Canadians and developed many friendships that lasted their lifetime. Parties and holidays at the Cory's were legendary; always raucous and joyful. Jocelyn was a talented artist always painting, decorating and crafting. Her home and those of her children are full of "Jocelyn's Joyfuls." She was a grandmother to 9 grandchildren (Jocelyn, Coleen, Holly, Samantha, Amber, Kelly, Jocelyn, John and Patrick, and great grandma to Alexandria, Brooke and Norah and her soon-to-be born sibling. She was a beloved mother-in-law to Thelma, Sheila, John, Tom and Michael. Jocelyn possessed a feminine presence that exuded class in every setting and regardless of her condition. The way she moved, the sound of her voice and the magic she created in her environment, left those around her with the breath of warmth and possibility that is ever lasting. She touched everyone in a special way and on her 90th birthday each one of her family members wrote her a letter explaining how she had touched their lives. There were many mentions of love and support, introductions to art and reading and cooking, and mentions of fairies, brownies, goblins and angels. Soon after husband Pat's passing in 2006, Jocelyn required the need for a caregiver. Thanks to Pat, she was able to stay in their home and thank you to God she was united with her angel on earth, Velonika Paumau, with whom she developed a deep and loving bond. They shared giggles and experienced life together for almost 8 years holding hands right to the end. Velonika's daughter, Sharon, also joined in her care and together with family they accompanied her through her final journey on earth and eased her on to her next adventure with love, prayer and devotion. Jocelyn lived a long and full life. Her spirit lives on through her love, wisdom and colorful artwork that she shared with so many. In celebration of Jocelyn's vivacious life, Velonika's family is preparing a Tongan-inspired celebration for family and friends in Jocelyn's backyard complete with a "Pig Roast."