Joy Alanna Smith

God took a beautiful person to join him in heaven! After her arduous five year battle with cancer, Joy Alanna Smith, a wonderful wife and deeply devoted mother, passed away at home on December 29, 2025 surrounded by those who dearly loved her. She leaves behind a legacy of grace, dignity, and wisdom to be cherished by her husband, Edward Mark Smith, and children Jill Foster (William) and Marc Smith (Julie), and her adoring grandchildren Nathaniel, Noelle, Kendyl, and Keegan.

Joy was born to Virginia (Ginny) and Irvin Lychner on May 28, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was raised with her younger sibling twins, Joe and Judith. Their early life took a tragic turn with the premature death of their father, Irv, in 1964. Joy was thrust into the role of being a guardian, nurturer, and surrogate mom to the twins, as mother, Ginny, worked hard to sustain her young family through the tough times that followed. As Joy's life evolved, she continued to offer this same instinctive care giving quality, which then touched so many lives.

Upon graduation from Lutheran South High School, Joy excitedly pursued her dream of becoming an airline "stewardess" and was thrilled to graduate as a TWA flight attendant. Over the years that followed, she served on both domestic and international travel, flying out of Kansas City, Miami, and New York JFK. Then, one day on a Dayton to Boston flight, her life changed when "sparks" flew between her and a young Air Force officer passenger, who quickly sensed the special person she was. Shortly thereafter, a proposal took place and Joy and ed were married on November 25, 1972 at Peace Lutheran Church in Saint Louis County.

Joy and Ed's journey as a military family started in Washington DC, where Ed was assigned to the Pentagon and included future stops at Wright Patterson AFB OH, the US Air Force Academy CO, Maxwell AFB AL, Camp HM Smith HI, Cheyenne Mountain AFB CO, and several other Colorado Springs tours at NORAD and Air Force Space Command headquarters. As a relatively young military commander's wife, Joy served eloquently, always demonstrating maturity far beyond her years and instilling the family values she held so dearly.

Along life's journey, Joy always provided the stability and "common sense" organization needed to help Ed's career succeed at every stop. Being a devoted wife was surely a given. Joy was a deeply loving Mom to Jilli, Marc, cocker spaniels Buffy, Barney, Beau, and Butler, and even the parakeets, Blue and Smoke. Always behind the scenes as was her way, Joy's sense of love and commitment provided the stability for a family journey of over two decades serving their country.

As the kids grew into stable, mature young adults, Joy searched for another cause to stimulate her heart and re-entered the workforce for the first time in three decades, becoming activities director at Winslow Court retirement community. During her time there, hundreds of residents were fortunate to experience the genuine nature of her love and support. She demonstrated ingenuity and creativity in her role, treating it not as a job, but rather a calling, each and every day for ten years. Joy and Ed then decided to retire in 2007, hoping to spend their future time together.

In the years that followed, they enjoyed traveling, especially annual trips to San Diego and Boston. Shopping was Joy's forte, and she excelled doing so in these, her favorite activities. Ultimately though, European river cruises became their biggest adventures. Joy had a real penchant for family history and searched Ancestry endlessly hoping to learn about family heritage. With a bit of Ed's prodding, they enjoyed five different European adventures, visiting places with family roots from the old days. Prague and Paris became favorite overseas destinations, while Normandy always stirred their emotions.

Joy's deepest passions included sustaining those rich family values with Ed, Jill, and Marc, and their families. She graciously attended many school activities and sporting events, as the kids, and then grandkids, remained involved year-round. Joy also developed several long-standing, deep friendships over the Air Force years, which she treasured and nurtured forever. Perhaps the truest spirit of Joy's heart shined through from her lifelong connection to Holy Cross Lutheran Church. While she always chose to work behind the scenes in a quiet unassuming manner, her commitment to God was always evident to those who recognized her true qualities.

Joy is survived by husband Edward, children Jill and Marc, brother Joe Lychner (Brenda) of Austin TX, sister Judith Teller (Bill) of Louisville KY, brother-in-law David Smith (Mary) of Texas City TX, and her four wonderful grandchildren, Nathaniel and Noelle Foster, and Kendyl and Keegan Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents Irv and Ginny, her husband's parents Bill and Pat Marks and John Smith, and her very special sister-in-law Pam Lychner, and nieces Shannon and Katie Lychner, who perished on TWA Flight #800 in 1996.

Over the past several years, the family is indebted to the wonderful, devoted staff at Memorial Hospital North Cancer and Infusion Center for their extraordinary care in every possible way over the years, and to Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care for being so loving during the final months.

A memorial service to honor Joy will be held on January 23, 2026 at 10:30am at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4125 Constitution Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, followed by interment at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80925 at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, Joy's hope is that you might donate to St. Jude in her honor, as she fervently hoped for a cure, especially to overcome childhood cancer.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.