Joyce Elaine Varey

Joyce was born on July, 22nd, 1947 to Joseph and Mary Anderson. The oldest of six children, her life was deeply shaped by the experiences and feelings she shared with her family, growing up in Armourdale, Kansas. Her personality was a wonderful mixture of her parents and siblings. To know Joyce was to know a little something about every person in her family. She devotedly loved those around her and would spare nothing to make sure they were taken care of, safe, and happy.

To us, her children, she was the best Mom you could ever hope to have. She gave us unconditional love and support. In her life, we were always first and we knew it. As a single mother throughout our childhood, Mom was the rock we could count on, in every way. She taught us the value of one’s word, a strong work ethic and the importance of family and friends. Mom’s support and love were the foundations upon which we both now rely on as we try to show the same levels of selflessness, love and caring that our Mom gave us throughout her life.

Growing up as the oldest child within a large family, Mom enthusiastically embraced the role of leader when it came to family get-togethers. It was her ability to plan, organize and stay focused that gave the entire family a lifetime of memories at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, the shelters at Wyandotte County Park and numerous other random get togethers at all of our houses through the years. Mom also served her country in the Army for three years.

Mom is survived by her husband, Larry, of 35 years. She met Larry at the pool in the Union Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas during a weekend getaway. They fell in love immediately. From the moment they met, it seemed that the two of them became an inseparable unit. They were each other’s Yin and Yang. Together, their journey took them to Torrance, California as Larry was finishing up his service in the Inglewood Police force. Then it was back to Kansas City to be closer to the extended family and finally to Coolidge, Arizona as Mom and Larry set to build a new life near Kristina and her family. They were each other’s soulmate and they made a beautiful life together. Larry’s most joyous times with Mom were when they took a once-a-year, monthlong vacation to Mexico. Mom always said the only wish she had was that she hadn't met Larry earlier in life.

Mom is preceded in death by both her parents, Joe & Mary, her three brothers, Carl, Joseph and Aynard and brother-in-law James (Mary). She is survived by her husband, Larry, her two children Damon (Stephanie) and Kristina (Matthew), eight grandchildren, Ryanne, Josh, Amanda, Zachary, Maxwell, Lauren, Michael and Augustus. She is also survived by her sisters Cheryl and Mary, sisters-in-law Claudia (Joe) and Rene (Aynard), and brother-in-law Bob (Cheryl)

Her greatest gifts were her ability to love, be goofy and have fun. She was stubbornly committed to always making sure those in her world were taken care of and felt loved.

For those of us lucky enough to have been a part of her life, we can all share in the wonderful and fun memories she has given us all. We are grateful for the time we had and are forever thankful for the memories she has given all of us.