Joy Ellen Kosinski was born on August 23, 1933, to Donald and Ellen Gilchrist in Salinas, California. Joy was raised in Gonzales, where she was joined by her brothers, Don and Jim. She graduated from Gonzales High School and then attended Hartnell College in Salinas. She loved growing up in the small town of Gonzales and cherished memories of visiting relatives in Canada by train.
Joy met Tony Kosinski while he was on leave from the Army in Gonzales. They married in 1953 and eventually settled in Sacramento, California, where they started their family. They welcomed Sandy, Debbie and Steve in Sacramento before moving to Wheatland, where they welcomed Jeff. In 1970, the family relocated to Chowchilla, where they completed their family with a son, Christopher. Joy worked as a homemaker and eventually worked in education as a teacher’s aide and in the school office. She dedicated her time to her family, loving her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Tony attended all of the special occasions for their family and spent a lot of time cheering on their children and grandchildren. In 1999, Tony passed away and Joy continued supporting her family. Her car license plate said, “Granny on the go”.
In retirement, Joy and Tony attended many Army Ranger reunions. Joy enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends; visiting Germany, Ireland, Australia, and many of the states. She enjoyed participating in the bowling league, and she was an active member of the Altar Society of the St. Columba’s Catholic Church. She stayed active in Chowchilla, leading the Senior Citizens exercise group and attending plays, concerts and sporting events with friends and family.
Her family fondly remembers Joy as such a supportive mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She babysat many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They always brought a smile to her face. She loved hosting, and whether it was summer weekends by her pool or cooking for all holiday events, being together was so important to her. Even though it was known that no one would eat on time, everyone was prepared and took advantage of the extra family time. Eating late and being late never bothered her. Her pork chops and apricot cobbler were a family favorite, and the cheesy rice was legendary with the grandchildren. Joy spent a lot of time sending out birthday gifts or cards to each family member every year to let them know they were loved.
Joy was preceded in death by her mother, father, her husband Tony, and her infant son, Christopher. She is survived by Sandy (Ted) Rambo, Debbie Hoe, Steve (Julie) Kosinski, and Jeff (Cindy) Kosinski, 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers, Don and Jim Gilchrist.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations in her memory by made to Valley Children’s Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association.
