Anne Joyce Bayly

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anne Joyce Bayly (née Monier-Williams), age 98, on February 19, 2026, peacefully at her home in Ottawa, Ontario, with family by her side. She will be deeply missed by her much-loved children Joyce Bayly-Inwood (Steve, deceased), Christopher (Carol), Suzanne (Henry), and grandchildren Luke (Rebecca), Carmen, Cameron Bayly, and Christian Loughlin. She leaves behind her precious great-grandchildren, Zachary and Andrew Bayly, as well as extended family and dear friends on both sides of Canada and the Atlantic. Anne was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Ian MacDonald Bayly.

Born in Reigate, England, Anne was the middle child of Cecile “Sassy” Marie Louise de Lotbinière Harwood of Vaudreuil/Montreal, and Leonard David ‘Brewse’ Monier-Williams of Reigate. Anne, her sister and brother, Marie Cecile Isabel (deceased) and David Brewse, spent their younger years in England. The illness of her maternal grandmother brought the family to Vaudreuil/Montreal during the war (1940). After Anne graduated high school at the Sacred Heart in Montreal, the family returned to England where she began her early working years.

Unable to attend university in an era when admission was reserved for returning soldiers, Anne completed secretarial training and enjoyed several intriguing work positions soon after. Her cultural curiosity was nourished in a role where she worked on company travel reports detailing foreign social, political and economic circumstances. She shared many stories of another position as a private secretary for the Duke of Bedford on his estate. He was a noted naturalist, and Anne’s lifelong delight and intrigue in the beauty and wisdom of nature was seeded there. Later, at “The Monkey Club”, a prominent London finishing school for girls, Anne embraced all that the city had to offer both culturally and socially; she often ended her work day with theatre, dining, and then dancing until the wee hours. Not one to sit on the sidelines, she attended grand balls at Greenwich, and traveled in Europe for ski trips and other adventures.

There are many amusing stories of the 1954 European tour with friends, during which Anne and Ian became better acquainted. Their courtship led to marriage in Reigate, in 1956, and shortly afterwards Ian received a posting to British Columbia. As a Canadian naval officer, Ian was soon called out to sea, leaving Anne - newly married and expecting their first child - in Victoria to oversee the building of their first home. Fortunately she had local support from Ian’s family and the navy wives community, and life-long friendships began. Ian’s naval career subsequently carried the family to Ottawa, to Washington DC, and finally to Halifax in 1965.

In Halifax, Anne continued to raise her three children, held a variety of work positions and still managed to pursue new interests. She worked for the Dean of Education (Mount St. Vincent University), and coordinated volunteers for Meals on Wheels. Anne learned how to camp and canoe for family vacations; played bridge regularly; and took courses in anthropology, sociology, modern societal dilemmas and silver work. Her deep interest in indigenous cultures and art began in Halifax and never waned.

After moving to Montreal (1977), Anne devoted much time to her silver work, refining both her technical skills and artistic design. She exhibited in juried craft shows as a proficient silversmith for many years, gathered an admiring clientele, and created lasting friendships along the way.

Together, Anne and Ian developed an interest in orchids, sharing the house with a large and quite varied collection. They were active members of the Eastern Canada Orchid Society (Montreal), became prize-winning orchid growers, and generously volunteered at ECOS shows.

In addition, Anne gardened, played more bridge, and supported Ian’s church. For a number of years Anne and Ian visited Cornwall weekly to join close naval friends for a ‘hot topics’ seminar on current events. Anne also cherished re-connecting with family in Montreal, Vaudreuil and across Quebec. They travelled, within Canada and beyond, and really treasured their annual vacations whale-watching from the Quebec shore of the St. Lawrence River.

Anne welcomed people from all walks of life, and had a caring warmth, curiosity, intellect, and sparkle that drew many to her in enduring friendships. She never tired of story-telling, laughter, debates, and games with friends and family. After Ian’s passing (2016) Anne came to live in Ottawa, and again found kindred spirits among fellow residents. She continued to enjoy theatre, museum and nature outings, picnics and many other activities with family. Word games and crosswords were a particular strength of hers, and she enjoyed these even in her final days.

The family extends sincere thanks for the compassionate care Anne received at her residences, to the many medical professionals and health organizations who supported her, and especially to the nurses, personal support workers, and dining staff who interacted with Anne daily with such care and kindness.

Anne’s love of life will be celebrated 2-4 pm, on May 30, 2026, at Tubman Funeral Homes Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Rd., Nepean (between Bayshore Dr. and Baseline Rd.).

If desired, in lieu of flowers, Anne would appreciate donations to your local food bank, or Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)