We will miss Aunt Joyce so much.  We became good friends over the years and enjoyed talking about so many different things.  We really had fun comparing notes after watching certain TV shows like "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars."  We always agreed who the winner would be and most times we were right!

Love,

Janet and Jack

Just want to share special times with Joyce. We  talked of memories we had during our "grapes of wrath" years during depression time.Joyce lived in Calif & I lived in 
Kansas but shared same memories. Homemade ice cream, water from wells & 
pumps. Friends just dropped by unannounced on their Sunday afternoon 
drives. No refrigerators to keep a supply of food on hand  but our 
mothers worked miracles & no one left hungry even when money was so 
scarce!  Company always had a place to sleep even if just a sheet or 
blanket on the ground & us kids always loved it!

 Joyce & I LOVED to go to TV tapings at different stations that 
taped in Hollywood area & don't think we missed a one. I remember one 
trip...I had worked all night 11 pm to 7 am  and Joyce picked me up and I slept 
all the way down.  We saw "Welcome Back Kotter" . Joyce was such a true 
friend to me.

Mickey mouse waffle breakfasts, elaborate blanket forts in the living room, summer days in the pool that seemed to stretch on forever, hours spent converting cereal boxes into doll houses covered in cut-out magazine clippings, plays and dress-up sessions spurred on by boxes of Grandma’s dresses and wigs (much to Jon’s demise), endless trips to See’s Candy and the Oaks Mall, the smell of fudge being made before Christmas, carefully chosen holiday cards filled with thoughtful messages and personalized poems, chicken and egg salad sandwiches. All memories of a childhood spent at Grandma’s.

Even when I was young, I can remember marveling at Grandma and her quiet, resolute strength.For someone who was confined to a wheelchair, she refused to compromise on her independence – always cooking elaborate meals, giving Grandpa a run for his money, driving a car using hand controls and even riding the rides at Disneyland. For someone as shy and modest as she was – she never let that prevent her from doing the things that were most important to her.While she often made it known that she loathed being confined to a wheelchair, I only ever knew her that way, and she seemed to do just about everything that everyone else did with a little added effort.

As I transitioned into my teenage years, I became even more acutely aware of her steadfast resilience, and she became a clear role model for persevering through hard times. She taught me that while we can’t always choose our circumstances, we can always push to overcome them to the best of our ability.She taught me to not take everyday things for granted, and I started to privately dedicate my cross-country races to her.Who was I to not give it my all, when I had two legs that worked and some people wished for those things every day?Today, I still often think of her when faced with hard things, and she provides immediate perspective.

As an adult, I’ll always remember Grandma for the unconditional love and support that she offered, and the degree to which she was able to find ways to relate to me.When I went to college, she applauded and made sure to continuously point out that she too wanted to study, but Grandpa wouldn’t let her because he was afraid the boys in her class would have a crush on her. When I transitioned into full-time work, she applauded again, being sure to mention that she too, wanted to pursue her own career as a young adult, but Grandpa wouldn’t let her because he was afraid that she might find a new boyfriend.And when I got married, she surprised me too by never asking when the great-grandchildren were coming, and instead always saying how she was proud that I was following my dreams and seeing the world.For someone who had so many of her own personal challenges, she was an expert at finding ways to relate to each of us, and always acted so impressed with whatever it was that we were doing at that point in our lives.

The impact of Grandpa’s loss on her life was clear and immediate. Despite their uncanny ability to bicker over the little things (often driving everyone else to the brink of insanity in the process) – they agreed on the big things – the importance of family, a love of politics and a shared view on religion.They were soul mates through to the end, starting life and ending life together. They lived through depressions, wars, accidents, heart attacks, care givers, hospital stays and more – and still came out the other side together. Though I miss them both terribly, I am comforted by the fact that they are together again – both free of pain and probably back to their age-old hobby of keeping each other on their toes. Their legacy lives on in the endless trove of memories they leave behind, and I know that we will all keep alive in their honor.

This is not goodbye – it’s see you later. Until then, happy trails Grandma (and Grandpa) – I love you both and miss you so much.

My mom was a poet and I loved that.   I found just a few of her poems, but I hope I find more. Since Mom was a poet, I made an attempt at writing one in her style...

My journey with her began

In 1962

When I was placed in her arms

The day I was due

Taken home to a room

Carefully prepared

To welcome babies that

Would know loving care

Everything she did, she tried to

Do the best

For her family and friends, she could do

Nothing less

She cared for me first in the home

On Vine

Then Gary joined the family in a

Few years’ time

She worked hard to be a good

Mother

Caring and cleaning and cooking like

No other

Trying to teach us to do what

Was right

To think of others and to

Be a light

In 1967 to Wrightwood we

Would go

It was hard for her there –

The isolation and snow

So in 1972 to Ventura County

We came

Where her children would be raised

And would make their name

Mom taught us hard work but made

Time for fun

Park trips and skateboarding and beach

Days in the sun

At the age of 47 she received a

Tough blow

The ability to walk she had

To forgo

She had to re-learn with the utmost

Of care

How to gracefully go forward

Living from a chair

She proved her strength time and

Again

As she re-entered a life that

Included pain

Once I had a family

of my own

I tried to follow her example

As I built my home

As we grew older, she became

A best friend

Shopping and talking and calls

Without end

She was the best of grandma’s to

My kids and Gary’s

Wonderful memories they now have

To carry

Her later years were the hardest for

Joyce

Sometimes life doesn’t give

Us a choice

As time marched on, she struggled

Valiantly to stay

Independent

In every way

She was a doer and a giver

And didn’t like to take

But eventually she learned to

Graciously thank

All of us for our care

In her final days

It was the least we could do

After all that she gave

A mom and grandma’s love is

Beautiful and rare

Our best gift back to her is to

Continue our care

For the family she loved and made

Her life’s theme

May we honor her love

By continuing her dream

By loving each other unconditionally

And true

As normally

only a mother would do.

Life is precious, while this sounds trite, it is very true. This picture was taken in May 2013, at my cousin Jonathan Finch's wedding, by Dave. This is my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Vic, they were very special to me my entire life. While their lives were filled with trials, Uncle Vic severely wounded in the Korean War including losing an eye and Aunt Joyce having a terrible car accident leaving her wheelchair bound for decades. Despite all of this they raised my two cousins to be two of the finest people I have ever known. This has been passed to their children.

I found this picture, that I had displayed until this last move, and it is again out. Of the four people involved in this shot, counting Dave who took it, three are now gone. I am the lone one left. Dave in 2014, Uncle Vic last fall and in the case of so many married for years, Aunt Joyce soon followed two weeks ago. 
As I reflect I think take that time, have that conversation, share laughter and a hug as it may never happen again.

l am thinking of you, Karen & Gary.(my 2nd attempt here). Your beautiful, sweet Mother was my very good friend for 55 yrs.  We wrote &called ea.other mostly every week. l have been so 'homesick' for her lately.  But l am so thankful she's in Paradise now walking with the Lord!  No more pain nor sadness, no more tears!

And l am also thankful that we will see her again some beautiful Day!! God bless you 2 & all the family!! XO Ranel Noble

I rejoice with you. Knowing that your Mom and Dad are reunited, and she is with her Mom, Dad, family again.

Joyce was a sister to me.  We shared so much together while living in the farm labor camp, and since her car accident, going to lunch, shopping,  countless, countless! telephone calls.  I really can't imagine not talking with Joyce on the phone. I miss her already.

It brought memories back to when we lived in the Brite farm labor camp, in Buttonwillow, when we were in elementary school. Playmates at home, on weekends, and summertime.  I remember that Joyce introduced me to Cherry Cokes from the Buttonwillow drug store, fresh from the fountain.  Before canned drinks.  On Saturdays when Joyce's dad, Mr. Sims went to the grocery store, we would ride along, go to the drug store for a cherry coke....I still love fresh, fountain cherry cokes today, when I can find it.  Joyce and I have shared a long life of friendship over the years. We have spent many hours on the phone, and fun times going to lunch, and shopping the malls. I love her as a good, long, long time friend, and my aunt by marriage to Uncle Vic.  I will miss them  both very, very much.