Canadian Aviatrix #65 – Joyce Reid (1922-2007)

Joyce Amy Reid was born on 6 June 1922 in Beamsville, Ontario.

Joyce started flying when she was 16, but had to wait to take her test due to transport department age regulations.

On 24 June 1939, Joyce passed her flying test and received her PPL, making her the 65th female pilot in Canada. She was 17 years old.

Photo: The Province (August 27, 1938)

At some point before 1944, Joyce married Noel John Ogilvie (a RCAF pilot, known as Buzz). He was 6 foot 4 inches tall and one of Canada’s tallest pilots. They had two children.

Joyce spent many years helping the Canadian Red Cross, St Joseph’s Parish Church, and the West Lincoln Association of the Mentally Handicapped.

Buzz died in 1998 and Joyce died in 2007, aged 85. Their gravestone states “Canada’s youngest female to pilot an aircraft solo” and “sweethearts forever”.