Joy Randall’s Legacy Lives On

Whether during her early years working at Cobourg General Hospital in the 60s, her 35 years as a missionary and nurse in Taiwan, or during her retirement years where she spent her time visiting people in long-term care or hospital through St. Andrew’s pastoral care committee, Joy Randall lived a life in service of helping others.

“She was always ready to help in any way she could,” recalled her brother John Randall and sister-in-law Marlene Randall. 

Joy passed in July 2020 in her 78th year. 

But her devotion to caring for others continues to inspire her loved ones and those she served across the world through to today. 

In honour of Joy, a $5,000 donation to the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation is helping to purchase a portable ultrasound unit for the Maternal Child Care program.    

In March, John and Marlene said the director of nursing at Changhua Christian Hospital reached out to share that the hospital was donating $5,000 to the family in recognition of Joy’s service in Taiwan. 

“After considerable thought, we felt that Northumberland Hills Hospital was the right place, as Joy had helped many people during her career (and) NHH is here for the people.”

Joy was destined to lead a life in service of others. After finishing high school, she went to college in Belleville to study nursing, recalled her family. 

In 1965, Joy graduated and went to work at the then Cobourg General Hospital. She continued working at the hospital into 1966. 

By 1968, an opportunity arose for Joy to enroll in a midwifery course through the University of Alberta. Later that same year, Joy would start down the path of her 35-year missionary/nurse work in Taiwan, starting by spending two years learning Taiwanese.

“Her dedication to her work as a missionary was a job that she thrived in,” shared her family. 

Joy would go on to also serve in the hospital choir, through Bible studies, and helping with English lessons for staff who wanted to learn the language, added her family. 

Joy went on to serve as director of nursing at the hospital until about 2004. 

A few years prior, in the spring of 2000, her two sisters-in-law made the trip to Taiwan when Joy received a National Medical Award from the premier of Taiwan, recalled Marlene and John.  

This was just one of the honours she received for her work in Taiwan — she also received honorary citizenship in Changhua County in 2004.

In her retirement years, Joy returned home to Canada. 

In 2017, the Presbyterian Church in Canada honoured Joy with a Woman of Faith Lifetime Achievement Award. 

“When Joy was growing up, she was a member of a girl’s group called the ‘Mission Band,’ which gathered at St. Andrew’s (Presbyterian) Church in Cobourg. Through the activities they did Joy got her inspiration to want to be a missionary. Joy wanted to show her Christian values by becoming a missionary.”

During her retirement years, Joy was described as a vital presence in her home congregation at St. Andrew’s where she served in numerous roles, including as chairperson for the pastoral care committee.  

“She spent many hours of her daily life visiting people at home, in long-term (care) homes and the hospital.”

Those who knew Joy say her service was born out of a desire to connect with people.