Mildred Joy Ireland (nee Keast) passed away at the Red Deer Hospice, after a short illness, on Friday, January 9, 2015 at the age of 84 years. Joy was born on April 10, 1930 at Stettler, Alberta. She was the oldest child of Clarence and Margery Keast. Joy lived with her parents and her two brothers, Allan and Rod, on the family farm in the Hackett District south of Botha. Joy loved horses. Her parents later owned and operated the Hackett General Store where Joy helped out. She started school at Model, a small country school southeast of Stettler, and completed her high school in Gadsby, Big Valley and Edmonton. Joy married William Ireland in April of 1971. Bill and Joy farmed east of Red Deer. In later years they wintered in Yuma. Joy loved to travel and continued travelling after Bill’s death. She broke her hip in the Kruger National Park in South Africa but once healed continued with tours and Mystery Trips. Joy will be remembered for her humour and her photography. Joy was an accomplished photographer. She won awards for her pictures and left behind a legacy of photos. She had a keen eye for the perfect picture and seldom passed a flower without snapping a shot. Joy loved to tell jokes and entertained others with her quick wit. Joy is survived by her step son, Terry (Judy) Ireland of Sylvan Lake, her step daughter, Patricia (David) Othen of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, step grandchildren, Jason Ireland of Calgary, Kristina (Mike) Poulsen of Sylvan Lake, Nicole Ireland of Calgary, step great grandchildren, Trent and Brady Poulsen and her many cousins and friends. Joy was predeceased by her husband, Bill Ireland and her brothers, Allan and Rod Keast. A Memorial Service will be held at Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. If desired, Memorial Donations in Mildred’s honor may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice at www.reddeerhospice.com or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Maryann Hansen, Funeral Director at Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.