Joy Parr

Joy Parr, BA(Hons), M.Phil., Ph.D., D.Litt., F.R.S.C.

Joy Parr died peacefully at home in Southampton on May 12, 2024 after an extended illness. Daughter of the late Gordon and Isabel Parr, she is survived by her husband, Greg Levine and by Mary Keon, William Levine, Jason Giles, Branwen Buckley, Audrey Giles and Owen Giles.

Joy was brilliant; an innovative thinker whose works challenged conventional wisdom and inspired a generation of scholars. Her major monographs Labouring Children, Gender of Breadwinners, Domestic Goods and Sensing Changes won much praise and many awards but more importantly captured the imagination of scholars in a diversity of academic fields. Her breadth of intellect and her curiosity led her to learn new things and to question old ideas. Her humanity and compassion motivated others to appreciate lived lives and the extraordinariness of the ordinary.

Joy was also a talented woodworker, an enthusiastic gardener and an avid reader. Joy had a quick wit, a kindly spirit, an uncommon sense of decency and, a belief in the best in others. Informed by deep faith and hope, she accepted the idea of light within us and with her wonderful smile held those she encountered in the light.

Joy and Greg were together for 40 years and shared a profound love which survived good times and hard times. Joy will be sorely missed by Greg as well as by all those whose lives she touched.

A service in celebration of her life will be held at Southampton United Church on June 22, 2024 at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, please give donations to the University Health Network Foundation or Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.

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