My beloved aunt, Joyce Pendley Odell died quietly this morning, after a two year battle with cancer. There are no words to express how deeply her loss will be felt. Known to all who knew and loved her as “Joy”, she truly did bring much joy into our lives.Born 3 January 1939 in Oak Creek, Arizona Joy was the eighth of nine children born to Frank and Jane Pendley. Born and raised on the historic Pendley homestead which has since become Slide Rock State Park, Joy’s family taught her values of honesty, hard work, appreciation for humor and kindness to others. She had a deep love of nature and was an excellent cook.
On 3 Sep 1955 Joy married Roy Odell. After a long and productive career in Seattle, Roy and Joy retired to Sequim, WA where they made many dear friends. They were the parents of three daughters: Leslie Gay (wife of Randy Wood) of Renton, WA; Colleen (wife of Pat Mace) of Bothell, WA and Brenda (wife of Tim Puryear) of Kent, WA. They had seven grandchildren: Aaron, Eric and Kristin Wood, Jack and William Mace, and Benjamin and Victoria Puryear.
On a personal note, my Aunt Joy was a hugely significant influence in my life. My own parents both died while I was in my early 20’s. Joy became the touch stone for me to tell me things about my family’s history and to teach me lessons of how to be a wife, mother and grandmother. Our visits were rich with laughter as she generously shared of her wisdom, her kitchen and her closets. She gave me more love and acceptance than any other woman I’ve ever known.
Joy was a loyal friend to many and took all her relationships seriously - whether being neighbor, mother, daughter, sister, cousin or aunt. She went out of her way to do special things for people. She was never pretentious. She was warm and funny, and in the words of her older brother Tom, "a class act".
I've gathered together a few family photos of Joy with those she loved. You can access the slideshow by clicking HERE.
Obviously there are many, many people who were important in Joy's life that I do not have the pictures of... but you all know who you are. Whether on film or simply in our hearts, our memories of Joy will be sweet.
6 comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing woman.
My Aunt Joy was an intelligent and strong woman. She and her family were there during my formative years, in particular. I just want to reach out to Gay, Colleen, Brenda and their families in this time of loss and hurt. And in particular, to my Uncle Roy; he and Joy had such a loving and enduring relationship, I can hardly imagine the hole in Roy's life without his lifelong partner. Roy and Joy always treated myself and my family with love and respect, and will always be an intregal part of who I am. God Bless the O'Dells!
Terry Young
I feel blessed to have known Joy for over 34 years. She truly brought joy into my life which always demonstrated how suited her name was.
Joy and I first met when we were working in the same office building and soon thereafter I went to work for Roy as his administrative assistant. What a fabulous few years we spent working together. I met my husband Dick through this position and was married to him for 30 years until his death 2 years ago. Joy and Roy were there to bring comfort as they did so many times during my life.
Joy worked for Dick and I for a couple of years selling ice cream machines and pressure fyers. We had great fun eating ice cream and chicken along the way.
Joy was a "tough ole broad", as Roy said many times. She was strong yet still very sensitive and would puddle up at special moments. Joy, Jane Ansley, Jean Kitson and I shared many dinners as a group which included talking about moving in together when we got old like the "Golden Girls". I could go on and on reminiscing over the times we shared.
It brings solice thinking of Joy meeting up with Dick again in the hearafter. I'm sure he's smiling and welcoming her, along with her family and friends that left our living world.
My heart goes out to Roy, Gay, Colleen, and Brenda along with all the wonderful family and friends left behind to miss her.
Love and huge hugs to Roy and family,
Nancy Knipe
My prayers go up, and they are heard. I ask for peace and mended hearts. Roy, you are loved from above, and all around you.
Dear Roy and family -- Lloyd gave us the news of Joy's passing. We were sorry to hear she lost her battle with cancer. She was a good person and will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love -- Al and Dori
Roy and Family,
Libby and I just received the news about Joy. We are truly saddened to hear that she is gone. What a giving person whose presence brought a warmth to any gathering of friends and family.
Roy, you are in our prayers and we extend our heartfelt condolences.
Howie and Libby
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