In Memoriam: Joy Durfee Calkin

Former dean of the university’s Faculty of Nursing, Joy Durfee Calkin, passed away peacefully at home in Chester, N.S., on April 21, 2020, following a five-year battle with cancer.

Joy was born in 1938 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Predeceased by her parents, she is survived by her siblings, G. Thomas Calkin (Judy Barnes) of Falmouth and R. Gail Fraser (Roderick) of Chester as well as nieces and a nephew. She spent her childhood in Kentville and became very involved in Girl Guides, which provided a foundation in leadership and community service that she built upon for the rest of her life.

Her post-secondary education in nursing began at the University of Toronto in 1956. Her fond memories of the Class of 1960, and lifelong friendships made there, remained throughout her life. She was president of her chapter of Delta Gamma when it was suspended by the U.S. national organization for having pledged a young woman of colour. After being summoned to a meeting at Delta Gamma headquarters to explain this “irregular” decision, she returned to Toronto and happily reported that the suspension had been lifted. Her steadfast fight against discrimination of any kind remained with her.

She spent several years practising her profession in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Scotland before moving to the U.S. to teach and study at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) from 1966-1968 and 1970-1984. She received her MScN in 1968 and her PhD in 1980. As professor in health sciences, Joy encouraged her students, to “shake up our ways of thinking and acting.”

She wanted to build health-care systems from the patient out, starting with the patient experience, and using that observation to shape the system and the experience. Throughout her life, she used her professional education to that end on a policy level as well as a personal one. A former student pointed out that one of Joy’s great strengths was her uncanny ability to make people feel better about themselves. That changed the power balance in ways that inspired so many of her students.

In 1985, Joy was recruited by the University of Calgary to become dean of the Faculty of Nursing. In 1989 she was named associate vice-president (academic) and from 1990-1997 served as UCalgary’s vice-president (academic) and provost. During her tenure as one of the first women to hold the position of VP (academic) in Canada, Joy earned the respect of her fellow VPs and was known for her efforts to work collaboratively with other universities. She left Calgary in 1997 to become president and chief executive officer of Extendicare, Inc. in Markham, Ont. As CEO, chairman, and deputy chairman, she worked in both Toronto and Milwaukee until her retirement in 2002, when she returned to Nova Scotia and settled in Chester.

After retirement, Joy became an advocate for improved health care on the South Shore and was appointed to the Board of South Shore Health. With her vast knowledge in health care and governance, she brought an increased sense of professionalism to the board. She was an active volunteer at community breakfasts, political debates, town hall meetings, cultural events and fundraisers of all kinds. Her most significant contribution to Chester and the South Shore was her leadership in creating Our Health Centre located in Chester. She was happiest when helping others and her community.

Joy was the recipient of many honours during her lifetime: among them an honourary degree (DSc) from the University of New Brunswick, three teaching awards from UW Madison, Calgary’s YWCA Woman of Distinction in Education award, the Governor’s Integrity Award from the Calgary Downtown Rotary, and the Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Toronto Faculty of Nursing.

The family wishes to recognize and thank all the many supportive friends and caregivers throughout Joy’s five-year battle with cancer. Donations in Joy’s memory may be made to Our Health Centre, your local SPCA or a charity of your choice. Since there are no public gatherings at this time to celebrate Joy’s life, the family asks that you take a moment, wherever you are, to do a kind deed for someone in her honour.

Online memories and condolences can be contributed at Davis Funeral Home's website.