Joyce Barley Andersen, (1926 - 2013) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister and piano teacher. We love you forever, beautiful, loving, fun, adventurous, musical soul!

87 years old
Born on August 10, 1926 in Great Falls, Montana, United States
Passed away on October 4, 2013 in Peace Hospice in Great Falls, Montana, United States

Our tears are the measure of our joy and love and when they fill up our well, we will drink again our joy and love.

Please click on the "Her Life" tab above to view mom's Eulogy and Obit. We would really appreciate it if you would leave your thoughts in the Tributes section below and more lengthy memories under the "Stories" tab.

What a smile! More pictures will be added as I have the time to scan and post them.

Note to mom on Mother's Day 2008:

There truly is no greater gift than being loved. It seems consistent in the adults I meet, those loved as children lead mostly happy lives regardless of what they encounter, those lacking in love are plagued with troubles. Feeling love creates the foundation for forming loving relationships throughout life. I cannot imagine a life devoid of love. I cannot even imagine a life not completely filled with love.

I believe you, my beloved mother, are the wellspring from which all the love in my life is derived. Your love sheltered me emotionally just as much as you took on the responsibility for my physical well being. Your love let me know I would always be safe no matter what happened. Your love made me see myself as so much more than any mistakes I made. Your love often lifted me to feel like the brightest shining star, a super nova! Your love assured me I would never be alone. Your love led me to see the world as being full of love, hope and goodness.

My most fervent hope is for you to feel the love I offer in return in equal measure. It is the only way I know how to fully thank you for always being steadfast and generous in your love and care for me.

Okay, so I’m not a poet, thank heavens you already knew that. Reading this I laugh because it sounds like I’m writing a technical computer manual or something like that (go figure!). But I don’t care if I sound sappy, maudlin or corny, you are my dear sweet mama. The best mom in the whole world (at least for me, which is all that matters). You give me great Joy, both in my name and in my life.

All my love, Ronelle Joy

Tributes

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November 4, 2022

From Ronnie to Joyce, Dec. 26, 1944:
"...I want to thank you with all my heart for the truly perfect bracelet that you sent to me for Christmas. You will never know how very much it meant to me. As soon as I received the package I couldn’t wait a minute to open it - to wait ‘till Christmas day was utterly out of the question.

The picture of you that you put in the locket is a very good one of you and it thrills me to know that at any time I can just flip open the top of the bracelet and there you will be - just as sweet and beautiful and as wonderful as any person could imagine a perfect Sweetheart to be.

I was on my way to the dispensary to get my booster shots when I picked up the package at the post office so I put the bracelet on my left wrist right away. With every step I took I would wiggle my wrist just to feel and to hear that the bracelet was there and that it was not just a part of a happy dream.

Oh if I were only home - I’d kiss you ‘till the stars in the sky lost their light because you have been so good to me. I only wish I had the words that honestly express all the love I have for you. Someday I hope I will be able say “I not only am lucky to have you for a wife - I’m extremely fortunate.” "

October 5, 2018

Ronnie to Joyce, Feb. 26, 1944:
"When I looked at your picture I could hardly believe that I was capable of having such a very beautiful girl friend. I think it is a lovely picture and I will keep it with me always..
I hope your dad hasn’t just taken a liking to shows because he sees you sitting around with nothing else to do. I would feel pretty bad if I knew you were not fully enjoying your leisure time. Please - honey - don't restrict yourself from anything you want to do just because of me because there isn’t any fellow on the earth worth tying yourself up for. Naturally I don’t know whether or not you are completely happy so if I seem to be advising you about something I shouldn’t just forget it.
More than anything else I want you always to be happy because then I will be happy too.
I had better change the subject because I am so terribly lonesome for you as it is. When I think of being with you a lump comes in my throat and my eyes get all blurred because I know it will be so long before I ever see you again.
You know about your telling me to throw away your freshman picture? Well, I really don’t want to and besides all the fellows look so surprised when they discover that both pictures are of the same girl. I think they make a swell combination side by side..."

October 5, 2018

Thanks so much mom for saving the hundreds of letters written to you by my father, Ronnie, from 1943 to 1952. I am scanning [PDF] and transcribing them all [Microsoft Word] which is quite a labor of love. I miss you both so very much!!!
This is from Feb. 19, 1944 (shortly after he visited you on leave from the navy at Christmastime): "There are so many things I do that keep reminding me of the things you did and said when I was with you that now it is easier to keep happy thoughts just a bit more lonely. You see even now just about 1 ½ inches above this paper is the button you sewed on my blouse. It is holding very firmly and the anchor on it is pointing as straight as when you put it on. No wonder I love you so much – you’re too sweet to me...
I too am anxious for you to get your graduation pictures because I know they are going to be swell and I am just about dying to see how you look."

August 10, 2018

Aloha my dearest mama, I'm doing away with the sad piano music on this site for your birthday today. I believe Pineapple Rag was one of you favorites. Perhaps this is one that grandma played too. Anyway, I love you with all my heart and miss you every day. Hope you are hanging out with us sometimes, especially in Hawaii where I think you would love our ocean view. Thank you for being the best possible mom for me! Hugs and hugs and kisses, Ronelle

October 5, 2017

Can't believe you've been gone for 4 years. I miss you so much. I love you forever with all my heart. Please give my daddy a kiss for me, I've had to miss him for such a very long time...and thank him for all the letters he wrote you (literally around 400) and thank you for saving them for me to read!

August 10, 2016

Thinking of you mamma on what would have been your 90th birthday. I miss you so very much!!!

October 24, 2013

Dear Viggo, Ronelle, and family,
I know how much dear, sweet Joyce will be missed! I got to know Joyce from singing in the CUMC choir with her. My most recent memory was from a visit to Joyce in the hospital a few days before she died. I told her the choir and I were all pulling for her. She opened her eyes and said "You're not pulling hard enough!"

October 21, 2013

Dear Viggo and Family,
Jane and I extend our deepest sympathy. Shocking to see that this happy friend is gone.
In the late 1950s we became friends of Joyce and Ron while in a young couple's group at First Meth. In recent years, we often saw her and Viggo at the church we share. Viggo, my heart aches for you. Stan

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November 4, 2022

October 5, 2018

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Remembering Joyce

March 7, 2015

Today, I opened a new CD 'Brought to Light' by Paul Harvey Jr. As I listened to the introduction and the first piece he played by Robert Schumann, a flood of memories came back of my piano lesson days with Joyce. They were wonderful years of always trying to earn a gold star!

The favorite part of my lessons was listening to Joyce play the first part of several pieces of sheet music for me to choose from. All those pieces were saved through the years for our three daughters and now grandchildren to pick from as pieces to learn. Our son played the drums with a couple of pieces. Yes, his drums were set up next to our heirloom grand piano in our livingroom.

I kept in touch with Joyce through all the years at Christmas time. It is so nice to view the picture gallery and put pictures to the news she would send.

She is missed, but will never be forgotten as I see the touch of her talents shine through in our family when each one plays the piano!

Always,
Maureen (Olson) Laidlaw
Piano 1960-1968

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