It is with great sadness that the Barnwell family announces the sudden passing of their beloved sister, aunt, and great aunt on Wednesday, January 18th .2023. Joy was born in Lowmans Windward, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; the eighth of eleven children to parents Robert and Edna Barnwell, both now deceased. She was predeceased by sister, Lorna, then by three older brothers—Emelius, Dennis and Samuel. She is survived by her son Michael Omal Rawlins and six siblings—sisters Vernis, Janice, Anna and Yvette; brothers Aster and Osborne; nieces Sherrill, Zita, Sceeta, Lisa, Patricia, Shaneé, and Vanessa; nephews Jim, Warren, David, Hanif, Alex, Andre, Elliot, Josh and Brandon.

Joy joined other family members in Canada in 1971 to pursue a better life for herself. After earning a BA (Psych.) from the U. of Waterloo, she joined the Federal civil service where she enjoyed a 15-year career in the human resources area, becoming a specialist in the implementation and monitoring of federal regulations on employment equity and disability accommodation. She later held management positions with major corporations in the Banking and Telecom sectors, as well as other consulting assignments. For the past decade, she worked for the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Apart from career interests, Joy was a devoted mother, with strong attachments to her family and her spiritual and networking communities. Joy was a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews, earning her the epithet “the Fun Aunty.”

Joy’s passing has left a vacuum in the lives of many. Even as the sad news of her passing was circulating through St. Vincent, a local church and schools in Lowmans Windward had just received an annual shipment of school supplies and other items she had shipped in early December for distribution to local children.

Though Joy will be missed, our hearts will be forever warmed with memories of her generosity, vitality, and commitment to her loved ones and the various communities that she served.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Marion House; a not-for-profit organization in St. Vincent and The Grenadines that supports children and families with counseling supports, as well as violence prevention initiatives:

https://everloved.com/life-of/joy-barnwell/