You remember Joyce Gordon - you've seen her hundreds of times in TV commercials, shows and films. She was a versatile actor who trod all of Canada's important boards, from Stratford to the Red Barn Theatre. Her face was familiar, although her accent changed to suit whatever role she played.
But that was only the public Joyce. Privately she was a whole other ball of fire: feminist, socialist, animal rights activist. Whatever the cause, you could count on Joyce to roll up her sleeves and pitch in.
Joyce was born in Montreal to Louis and Ruth Korenberg. When she was 5, the family moved to England, where she learned to speak a vast variety of accents.
After the Second World War, the family returned to Montreal. Joyce attended Baron Byng High School. In her early teens she confided to a friend, "I've done something crazy - signed up for a theatre class." Her future was decided.
As Joyce struggled to build a career she entered into an early marriage that foundered. She moved to Toronto and met Morris (Moishe) Simon, a building contractor who was widowed with two young daughters, Julie and Tammy. She became their loving mother and the Simons lived happily ever after for 41 years.
While working as an actor Joyce found time to acquire a master's degree in psychology and practise her second profession. She also worked hard for better conditions for actors. She sat on the executive of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, then on the board of the Performing Arts Lodge in Toronto. As she told a friend, "I know some very good actresses who are going to end up as bag ladies if somebody doesn't do something."
Joyce was a character actor and also a character. She always had cats, strays that appeared at her door looking for a handout. One she called Dindin because he always came at dinnertime. Finally she invited him in and Dindin lived out its life on Joyce's couch.
Many successful performers develop an attitude. Joyce was the exception. Her enthusiasm persisted to the end. Visitors came to see her within weeks before her death. One of them mentioned having seen a London performance of The Importance of Being Earnest. She rallied at once, recalling how she had played all but one of the female roles. When the visitors left she was smiling.
Joyce's generosity showed up in her will. She left major bequests to all her favourite animal charities. And she left an unfillable gap in the lives of Moishe, Julie, Tammy and her many friends. We'd like you back, Joyce, for a well-deserved bow.
Ted Wood is Joyce's friend.
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