Joyce Richardson Roark
June 11, 1930 - January 6, 2021
Joyce Richardson Roark was born in Minot, North Dakota on 6/11/30 to Alva and Fern Richardson. At the age of 5, her family, including her younger sister Gae (Eaton) sold all their belongings, including the Model T Ford, for $110 and bought train tickets to Seattle.
Joyce was a lifelong learner, attending Lincoln High School and the University of Washington where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She made friends wherever she went; whether at school, her job or in her neighborhood. Joyce was a hard worker at home and at her jobs at the Post Office and later with the Department of Labor. She also enjoyed being the office party planner.
Joyce was an independent woman who raised her three children, Laurel, Nancy and John by herself, with help from her parents who lived nearby. She instilled in her children the quest for education, good manners, and the skills to save money. It was important for Joyce to keep informed and she read the newspaper daily. She loved history, enjoying multiple visits to New York City, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Boston. Joyce also took many international trips and cruises with her friends, visiting China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Baltics and numerous trips to Europe. Joyce made a special itinerary and took her parents in their later years on a European trip to visit England, Germany, and Italy.
Along with travel, Joyce's passions included gardening, collecting antiques, lemon meringue pie and McDonald's french fries, but she mostly enjoyed her visits with family and friends. Her 90th birthday last June was celebrated with a festive outdoor party. Joyce lived her last 3 1/2 years with her second family, Kyle and Lyn Kuhlow, who took her in as one of their own. She was lovingly cared for and became 'Grandma Joyce' to Kennedy and Kalen, whom she dearly loved.
Joyce peacefully passed away in her sleep on January 6, 2021. Joyce is survived by her children, Laurel Case (Nancy Daly), Nancy Kaley (Mike Pramhus), John Roark (May) and three grandchildren, Lauren Case, Adam and Samuel Kaley.
Joyce requested no memorial services. If you wish to honor her memory, bake some cookies, pet a dog or phone a friend to catch up.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
Joyce requested no memorial services. If you wish to honor her memory, bake some cookies, pet a dog, or phone a friend to catch up.