Mrs. Joyce Ethelyn Zimmerman

In 85 years of a busy and productive life, Joyce was one of those rare people who hit planet Earth running and never stopped. She often said she was a happy person who “liked to be useful.” That is the Joyce we knew her to be as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, artist, poet, leader, and volunteer with a capital V.

Joyce was born in Southern California to home-centered parents and had one younger sister. The sisters remained close even though separated by many miles most of their adult lives.

Joyce, a tall girl with naturally curly red hair, began collecting lifelong friends by kindergarten. She later served on the student council in high school. During her junior year she met her husband-to-be on a blind date. They married soon after Joyce graduated from high school. As newlyweds, her husband was drafted into the Army, and they spent two years in South Dakota, where Joyce worked as a secretary.

They returned to Los Angeles, had three children, and lived within a short distance of both sets of parents and extended family. Her neighborhood was close with mothers who knew each other well and looked out for each other’s children. Life was filled with family gatherings, church, painting monoprints, and school politics.

A few years after their fourth child arrived, the family moved to a new home. Joyce worked as clerk typist and later became a full-time administrative assistant until her retirement.

Retirement brought changes for the city-bred couple as they moved to the Central Coast. They were active members in the Lutheran church where Joyce eventually became the vice president and also taught Saturday School for developmentally disabled adults. They became zoo docents, and when animal puppets were donated to form a new troupe at the zoo, Joyce stepped right up to unleash her dramatic talents, first by creating voices, then by writing scripts and directing shows. In their spare time, they even went fishing--a pastime that had been a beach going family activity while the kids were growing up.

Sadly, Joyce became a young widow when her husband died of cancer. To counter loneliness, Joyce made a point of knowing every one of her neighbors, and for eight years prior to Covid, hosted monthly Bunco parties. She also wrote and shared her poetry. She loved spending time with her friends and family.

Joyce has always walked the walk, not just talked the talk of Christian life. Her spiritual quest led her to join the Methodist church, where she served on and chaired committees, recruited many interesting speakers, read scripture for services, proofread the bulletin, helped with the hospitality needs of the congregation, and cooked food for the local homeless shelter.

Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and love remain with all who knew her, and she is deeply missed.