Joyce Bowen Hrovatin

Many things can be said about Joyce Hrovatin. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted and gentle and in all the things she sought to accomplish. Joyce was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Joyce was born on October 7, 1933 in the family apartment in Maywood, IL. Her parents were Ted and Helen Bowen. Joyce was raised in Maywood, Oak Park and Villa Park, IL. When she was young, Joyce's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Joyce demonstrated strong qualities of perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Joyce grew up with two siblings. She had an older brother, Roger and a younger brother, Fred. Joyce was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered and this quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Joyce carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Joyce was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

During her high school years, Joyce had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to friends. She graduated from York Community High School in 1951. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Joyce was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Joyce as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner.

Always considered a “good” friend, Joyce sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Joyce always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Joyce’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Joyce would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Joyce was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her friends were Lola & Lila, Gert, Judy, Jeananne, Marlene, Mary Jane, Faith, Gloria and Pauline. Later in life, she became friends with Cathy, Agnes, Lois, Barb.

On October 8, 1952 Joyce married Robert Joseph Hrovatin at the Immaculate Conception Church of Elmhurst, IL. Compassionate and devoted, Joyce worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that Bob and her children came first in Joyce’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered her family’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Joyce did her best to make sure that both the marriage and her family life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Joyce was truly a person of empathy.

Joyce’s quality of being a caring person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Joyce shared these values with her six children, two sons, Steve and Tim and four daughters, Laurie, Mary Jo, Ellen and Tricia and one daughter-in-law, Sharon. Joyce was also blessed with eight grandchildren, Rob, Katie, Dan, Justin, Beth, Drew, Maggie and Laura and two great-grand children, Allison and Weston. Joyce related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Joyce experienced success in her work life over and over again. Joyce held many positions in her working life. She did custom sewing for Honey Girl Department Store, she worked at Elmhurst Hospital as a transporter for the Nuclear Medicine Department, she learned sign-language as an adult and was an interpreter for the deaf. In 1980, she along with two other moms’ of brain injured kids started the Illinois Head Injury Association (now known as the Illinois Brain Injury Association). Joyce was involved with the BIA for 20 years - many of those years spent as President. Joyce always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Joyce took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Joyce was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Joyce continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Joyce took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were cooking, knitting, crocheting, gardening, sewing and playing bridge. Joyce enjoyed sharing her passion for cooking new and exotic foods with her family. Before gyros were found on menus at local restaurants Joyce was creating them in her kitchen in Elmhurst. Or the time when she ran out of ideas of what to serve for dinner so added cow tongue to the menu - not a big hit! If you were looking for something to keep you warm on a cold winter night you headed for one of her many crocheted or knitted afghans.

Joyce was not big into participating in sports but she would be out there supporting her grandchildren in whatever sport they played - soccer, football, hockey, volleyball, baseball or lacrosse. For a very short time in her life she tried bowling and found out quickly she had "weak wrists" and gave it up. She did enjoy watching sports on TV - Olympics - both summer and winter - were her favorites. She loved to attend the Scottish Games held in nearby Oak Brook. We are not sure if it was to watch the games or look at all the Scots in kilts!

Throughout her life, Joyce was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Joyce was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Joyce was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Joyce’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Joyce’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. In high school, Joyce was a member of the Camp Fire Girls. Throughout her later years, Joyce was President and an active member of the Illinois Brain Injury Association, President and Board Member of Raintree Association.

Joyce was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values. Politically, Joyce was a strong supporter of the Republican Party.

Though she never did anything solely for individual recognition, Joyce was given accolades for her many and varied efforts throughout her life. If the truth were known, Joyce was always a little uncomfortable with being singled out for recognition. Some of her most prestigious awards include: Marianjoy Rehab Volunteer Recognition Award; Illinois Brain Injury Dedication Award; HiHopes Friendship Award and Raintree Board of Directors Recognition Award.

Joyce loved the water. As a child she spent many summers at her family’s cottage on Deep Lake. She enjoyed fishing, boating and swimming. She loved taking her children on family outings to Cedar Lake every Sunday during the summer where she would be know to pack the best picnic lunch! Her family vacations with her children would center on camping. Two trips come to mind – one to the Indiana Dunes and one to Kentucky Lake. It was hard enough to cook for six kids when you have a full kitchen available to you – imagine doing it with only a camp stove or a campfire.

Joyce was a lover of animals. From early on in her life animals/pets held a special place in her heart. Not only did Joyce have your conventional pets she also had two pet ducks that traveled on vacation with them, she had a pet crow and a pet skunk. One of Joyce's favorite pets was Snubby, a dog. They were best friends for 14 years. Joyce brought the love of animals to her children when over her lifetime she brought home Gus (Basset Hound), SuSu (Siamese Cat), Jenny (Basset Hound), Murphy (dog from Hinsdale Humane Society) and Sadie (dog from Hinsdale Humane Society).

When Joyce’s retirement finally came in 2007, she was well prepared. Being the focused and organized person that she was, Joyce had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Joyce knew exactly what she wanted to do. In retirement, she found new pleasure in crossword puzzles and reading cookbooks. Even in retirement, Joyce continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Joyce passed away on October 24, 2011 at 4:11am at Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove, IL. Joyce lost her long time battle with COPD and heart failure. She is survived by her children, Laurie, Mary Jo, Tim, Ellen, Tricia; her daughter-in-law Sharon, her grandchildren Rob, Katie, Dan, Justin, Beth, Drew, Maggie and Laura. Husband, Bob and son Steve precede her in death. Services were held at Chapel Hill West Garden. Joyce was laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.

Throughout her life, Joyce was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Joyce leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Joyce A. Hrovatin

Throughout her life, Joyce was a loving and caring woman. She always wanted the best for everyone. She was not one to offer advice – unless you asked for it – and then you needed to be ready to hear it! Joyce leaves behind her legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Joyce Hrovatin.

HROVATIN

Joyce A. Hrovatin nee: Bowen age 78

Beloved wife of the late Robert.

Loving mother of Laura (Brad) Dickinson, Mary Jo (Bob) Spurr,

Timothy Hrovatin, Ellen Bierer, Tricia (Al) Vaisvila, and the late Steve (Sharon) Hrovatin.

Cherished grandmother of Rob, Katie (Andrew), Justin, Beth, Danny, Drew, Maggie, Laura

Proud great- grandmother of Allison and Weston.

Founding Member and former president of the Illinois Brain Injury Association.

Visitation: Friday October 28, 2011 at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home

17W201 Roosevelt Road Oakbrook Terrace Il. 60181

3pm until funeral service at 7pm. Interment : private.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to your favorite charity or to

The American Lung Association in Illinois - Greater Chicago

55 West Wacker Drive # 800 Chicago, Il. 60601

Please celebrate Joyce’s life www.chapelhillgardenswest.com

Info: 630-941-5860