September 17, 1922 - March 24, 2021

Born at home to Oscar and Evelyn Leonard on September 17, 1922 in Everett, WA, the second of four children, Joyce died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes at home on March 24, 2021.  She lived her entire life (98.5 years) on the same property.  She attended Garfield Elementary School, North Junior High and graduated Everett High (class of 39 ½).  She was “Rosie the Riveter” at Boeing.  She was a 80 year member of VFW Auxiliary 2100, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, and President; MOCA#18; Normanna Lodge #3 and Ladies Club; and TOPS WA 325 (50+ years).  She was described as the “heart of her TOPS club.”

She was predeceased by her parents; sisters Audrey Douglas and Elayne Rice; brother Melvin Dale Leonard; nephews Stuart and Cary Rice, grandcats Waldo and Chumbley,  and husband of 49 years Albert W Lewis.  She is survived by her daughter Judy Lewis and grandcats Molly and Casanova; nieces Nancy Neely and Diane Johnson; nephew Ted Douglas on the Leonard side.  Numerous nieces and nephews on the Lewis side.

Joyce was a majorette in high school and played piano and string bass.  She was creative, and activities included ceramics, knitting, crocheting, sewing, cake decorating and rubber stamping.

She was often a Room Mother back in the day when homemade treats were allowed in elementary school and she sewed many a ballet costume for Judy.  She was a Bluebird and Camp Fire leader.  She was active in the PTA and received the Golden Acorn award.  She enjoyed being on the planning committee for many of her high school class reunions. 

She was a great baker, and made the best pies ever on the old wood range in the house she was born in.  Lately she was best known for her zucchini bread and variations on that theme.  She enjoyed spicy food, but had a wicked sweet tooth – you will see a picture of her defending her cinnamon roll from grandcat Casanova.  She loved going out to dinner (takeout only with the pandemic, unfortunately) and the occasional glass of white zinfandel or champagne on special occasions.

Joyce enjoyed traveling, including trips to California, Reno, the Oregon coast, Trinidad, Tennessee, Washington DC and especially to Las Vegas in her later years where she excelled at playing the penny slots.  Vegas trips were often around her birthday, and the Southwest flight attendants helped her celebrate with “crowns” and “cake.”  She was also formidable bingo player, and enjoyed playing at the Carl Gipson Senior Center with her pals.

She was an enthusiastic sports fan, especially the Mariners and Seahawks, and also followed golf and tennis.  She was an avid mystery reader, and did her daily crossword puzzle and word jumble.  She enjoyed her game shows, rarely missing the Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud and of course, Jeopardy!

Keeping in touch was important to her, and she made sure to send cards for holidays and special days.  Even when she was recovering from her fractured femur in 2018, she made sure to send her St.Patrick’s day cards out while she was in rehab.  She made sure to put her flag out on the important days and decorated for every holiday.  After her hospitalization in December, we were able to celebrate Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s together.  She told me I did a good job cooking the corned beef (with her direction)!

Mom was totally in love with her grandcats.  She had a special bond with Chumbley, who we lost way too soon, and he came to visit her on a semi regular basis.  Molly loved to sit on her lap when we were hot packing her leg after her fracture in 2018.  Casanova too, had a special bond with her as he started his adoption at her home, while introducing him gradually to Molly.  She greatly enjoyed having the kitties around for her last months and both Molly and Casanova were near her in her last moments. 

Those of you who know the “Chocolate Santa Story,” be assured that there is now a Chocolate Bunny keeping him company on the marble topped side table.

Joyce was named Muriel Joy at birth, although she did not like or use the name Muriel and was known to her immediate family as Joy.  She had a remarkable sparkle to her personality, and a great sense of humor.  A couple of years ago, she caught some toilet paper in her pants, unwinding it all the way from the bathroom into another room.  In telling the story, she gleefully announced “I’m on a roll!”  Of course, being a child of the Depression, she rolled it back up – it was a brand new roll, after all.  She valued her self-reliance and her independent streak was apparent to the end.  She will be truly missed and never forgotten.  Some of her last words were, “Spring came and I went.” 

No services as per her wishes (she wrote much of this obituary herself), memorials to Providence Hospice, Seattle Humane or your favorite charity. 

DONATIONS

Memorials to Providence Hospice, Seattle Humane, or your favorite charity.