Joyce Elaine Brown

Joyce was born on April 2, 1942 to Margaret L. and Kenneth C. Cale in Bend, Oregon. In 1961 she married Gary E. Grass, with whom she had her surviving son, Richard (Rick) A. Grass (Turner, OR). Joyce and Rodney W. Brown, who survives her, were married in 2004. Her sisters Judie C. Nelson (Potlatch, ID), JoAnn Tongue (Salem, OR), Elizabeth Cady Allen (Bend, OR) and Marion Cady Jarisch (Seattle, WA) and her brothers, Timothy R. Cady (Hailey, ID) and Ross M. Cady (King City, OR) survive her. Rod has five daughters Amy McCullar (Portland, OR), Angi Vincent (Meridian, ID), Sherril Mortensen (Ashland, OR), Destiny Gmelch (Eugene, OR) and Alissa Smith (Beaverton, OR). Joyce leaves 21 much-loved grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, and nephews and countless friends.

Joyce graduated from Bend High School and attended Central Oregon Community College. Joyce worked all her adult life, most recently as Executive Assistant to the President of Timber Operators Council (now Vigilant) in Tigard, OR. She worked at TOC for 19 years, retiring in 2005. During her tenure with TOC, she was a long-time member of Executive Women International. Upon retirement, she moved to Woodinville, WA.

As a child and young adult Joyce was an active member of the community of Bend. Joyce volunteered at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland and Seattle Children's Hospital for many years as an “Auntie” snuggling critically ill children. Joyce and Rod are active members of the Eastside Runners. She and Rod loved nature and had wonderful adventures, near and far. Joyce made many, many friends throughout her lifetime, beginning in childhood and continuing to the last days of her life. If you are Joyce’s friend, you are a friend for life.

Over the past 50 years, Joyce endured serious illnesses which caused physical limitations. She was always a fighter and never, ever wanted to be left behind and rarely was. She overcame numerous obstacles to successfully lead the rich, full and fulfilling life that was so important to her. On April 11, 2022, Joyce passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by loving family members and her much-loved toy poodle, Bear.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Evergreenhealth Foundation, Hospice and Palliative Care, (12040 NE 128th St MS#5, Kirkland, WA, 98034-3098, evergreenhealthfoundation.com) or the charity/organization of the donor’s choice.