Joy Arlene Gray

(Fouch)

Joy passed away on August 5, 2010, at Guardian Angel Homes, in Liberty Lake, WA, after a long illness.

She was born in Traverse City, Michigan, to Anna and John Fouch, on June 4, 1931, one of eight children. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Traverse City High School, where she was the captain of the cheerleaders and wrote the words to the high school fight song. She continued her education at Montgomery School of Nursing in Pennsylvania and became certified as a Registered Nurse in 1953.

She was married to Russell in 1954 at the US Naval Air Station in Whidbey Island, WA. In 1955, they moved to the east coast, and during their 13 year stay, their three children were born. In 1968, the family moved to Taipei, Taiwan, and lived there for two years. During that time, Joy worked as a nurse at the US Naval Hospital. Upon leaving Taiwan, the family enjoyed a trip around the world en route to their new home in Spokane, WA, in 1970. After working at Valley Hospital and Medical Center for 17 years, she retired from her 34-year nursing career in 1987.

Joy loved cooking, baking, bowling, golf, gardening, music, and playing cards, but her real passion was spending time with her family and creating a wonderful home. During their 56 years of marriage, she and her husband enjoyed many wonderful family vacations with their entire family on land and sea.

She is survived by her husband, Russell; son and daughter-in law, Steven and Beth (Tacoma, WA); daughter and son-in-law, Gary and Carol Anderson (Spokane Valley, WA); son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sharmistha (Thornton, CO); grandchildren Michelle, Shannon, Timothy, Daniel, Samantha, Zachary, Anindita; great grandson Christian; and, her siblings John (Geri Rose), Jerry (Jessie), Joan, Julian (Theresa), Janet (Neal), Jay, all of Traverse City, MI; and sister-in-law Arlene Mottern, of Norristown, PA.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2010, at 2 p.m., at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215, Spokane, WA 99210.