O'Loughlin, Joya Marie Antoinette, beloved wife of Liam Patrick, her soul mate for over 56 years and mother to her dearly loved children: Brother Peter O'Loughlin C.F.C.; Christine (Mark Beynon), grandchildren Daniel, Caitlin and Sinéad; Marc (Leonora), grandchildren Keira, Liam, Tristan and Éamonn; Patrick (Joy), grandchildren Lindsay and Conor; and Luke (Audra), and her youngest grandchildren, Ava and Sophia, passed away after a long battle with cancer on January 19.
Joya was the eldest daughter of Anthony (Tony) and Josephine (Josie) Locantro of Sydney, Australia. She loved her sisters; Carmela (Bill) and her youngest sister Elizabeth (Phil), who was always there when she thought she was needed, making quick and unexpected visits to Vancouver; and her only brother Christopher (Carol) and all her nieces and nephews. Joya was also close to her other sisters-in-law: Nancy Michael, niece Michele and family, and Maureen Campbell and dearly departed Alistair.

Joya graduated from business school in Sydney and worked with Liam in the hotel industry before starting a family. The family left Australia in 1975 and with consummate skill and fortitude, Joya adapted to her new home and life in Vancouver, Canada: a city and people she grew to know and love. Joya's life was one filled with music, flora and fauna of all kinds. She exhibited a deep love of children, especially babies (her short time nursing at a Maternity hospital gave her this love of babies) and of animals, especially horses, dogs (Clemi, Winnie and Buddy in particular), birds; any species she could hug or touch. She had an abounding love of sports, tennis of course being her number one passion. Over the years she developed a love of hockey, soccer, and American College football; she was an avid follower of Notre Dame.

Liam liked to travel and Joya had to be coaxed into the sky or on the oceans, but once aboard, she became the seasoned traveler. Her favorite trip was to Norfolk Island, especially with the family, then of course other trips to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Québec, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Israel, and her many forays across the border to Washington, California, Arizona, the New England States, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Florida and Alaska.

Joya loved her friends: the ones left behind in Australia and the new friends made in Canada; the bridge girls, and the Tennis days - they were always at the top of her agenda; and her Bible Study friends. Christmas and Easter were favorite times of the year, as were the multitude of never forgotten birthdays of family and friends, and family gatherings. Joya had a life long belief in her Roman Catholic faith and felt supported over the years by many priests, especially Fr. John Langtry - a long time friend in Australia, as well as religious sisters and brothers. It was her unflinching faith that carried her through her time of illness and suffering. The love and dedicated support of all her family, close friends and physicians, especially Dr. Michael Goldberger, for many years referring to Joya as his worst patient, because she never liked to visit him of course; Dr. Alan So, and Dr. Karen Gelman, who made the past few years tolerable and hope filled; and to all the nurses, doctors, and porters at VGH and the BC Cancer Clinic: grateful thanks.
Prayers: Thursday, January 23 at 8pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2465 Crown Street, Vancouver. Mass of the Resurrection: Friday, January 24 at 11am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joya’s name to The Palliative Care Centre of VGH or BC Cancer Research.