Joyce Elizabeth Augustine

Throughout her entire life, Joyce was always thinking about others. She spent every minute of every day thinking about those she loved and how they were doing. She often expressed how blessed she was to have met them. Upon telling her family that her time to leave was near, she expressed worry and concern about those she knew- and smiled peacefully as she talked about the full, beautiful life she had lived. She told her grandson to relay to those she loved that she would miss them all very much, and that she wants them to take good care of one another. She always said everything would be okay, and you always knew it would be, because she was always right.

Joyce, even in her final days on Earth, was the most selfless person you could ever meet. She was committed to random acts of kindness in her everyday life, not only holding doors, but personally delivering food every week for those less fortunate. She was humble, caring, and most important of all- the funniest person in the room. If you got the chance to sit and listen to her stories, there was no doubt you were both laughing. Her laughter was contagious, filling entire rooms with its radiance. She was a gentle spirit, a calming presence to her family and friends, and somehow simultaneously the life of the party. Always bringing people together, she loved hosting gatherings at her home which were always meticulously embellished with thoughtful touches and holiday themed napkins. It was as though she enjoyed the decorating as much as the company.

Joyce was always willing to set aside her own needs in order to share her light. She showed unconditional love to anyone who crossed her path, and as a nurse, she crossed paths with a great many people. When asked why she became a nurse, she always joked about how back then it was either that or a teacher, and her dad told her if she was a nurse, she’d always have a job and that was it- but her loved ones know it was nothing short of destiny. It was a career she cherished endlessly and excelled at, grateful for those she met during her professional journey. Having a reputation as an excellent diagnostician, Joyce’s name is still familiar to countless many who upon telling their stories, mention that she was integral to helping them or a family member heal.

Joyce was as well known to animals as she was to people. After she retired, she fed the birds every single morning with carefully cubed whole grain bread in her back yard. It attracted not only birds, but opossums, racoons, squirrels, and bunnies. Each of these visitors received a name and became a welcome addition to our family. Her favorite bird was always the Mourning Dove, whom she would softly mimic in hopes of getting a response. Of all the animals, though, dogs held the most precious place in her heart. So, after doting on the animals outdoors, Joyce would feed her dogs heartily and then sit with them in her lap in the overstuffed maroon chair by the window while doing the daily word puzzles from the paper. Later, she would meet a friend for lunch and then after school, her grandsons Skylar and Kody would spend a few hours with their “Ranny” rocking in chairs on the deck, recounting their day, pondering the curiosities of life, and playing card games. In the evening she would Facetime with her granddaughters Brooklyn and Hannah in Phoenix, whom she adored.

Joyce, dearly beloved, will live on in the hearts of her family and friends, no doubt her name on their lips daily (followed with abundant laughter) for many, many years to come.