Joy Yawn

Joy Yawn, a resident of Weston, MA formerly of Gainesville FL died Wednesday January 15th after a brief illness at Newton Wellsley Hospital . Joy was born May 21, 1934 in Graceville FL. She was the 11th of 12 children born to her parents the late John Allison Yawn and Halley Byrd Pelham Yawn. She is predeceased by brothers Dandy, Junior, Lynn, George, Harvey, and James and her sister Jean. She is survived by and will be sorely missed by her sister Ellie Bee Huff and Dorothy Ajlani and her husband Ike and her brother Patrick all of Gainesville FL. Also her brother Chuck of Graceville FL. Her daughter Linda and her husband Erik of Jacksonville, FL and her daughter Allison of Gainesville FL and her daughter Penny and her husband Dan of Weston MA. She will be lovingly remember by her grandchildren Brook Hebert and her husband Quincy of Gaeta Italy and Jesse, Jason, and Jodi Foote of Weston MA and her great grandson Dylan Bostick of Jacksonville, FL. She will be fondly remember by her many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Joy was a retired Army Sergeant who was active duty in the Vietnam Era serving in Orleon France and Fort Leonard Wood in MO. She played basket ball in the Army's WAC division, performed in community theater and loved to sing and dance. Joy was very proud of being in the Army National Guard's 301st Army Field Hospital for 19 years as well being an EKG Technician for more than 25 years, 18 of those at Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville FL.

Joy truly believed in living life fully, she continued to work part time until her death and took an active roll in the lives of her children and grandchildren.. She enjoyed the company of her many friends especially those at the Brook School Apartments. She will be remembered for her strength, great sense of humor, and southern charm. Joy found that it was not only important to add years to her life, but to add life to her years!