Joyce Ann Stoner

Our dear mother Joyce Ann Stoner, 82, of Portland Oregon, passed away on September 4th, 2022, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born to Maurice and Opal Burden on November 14, 1939 in Oxford Nebraska. The family moved via train from Nebraska to Tri Cities Washington when she was 8 years old. As a young girl, Joyce won a yo-yo competition, went to the finals in Seattle Washington and won a bicycle that she and her brothers rode all over Kennewick. She spent her summers as a lifeguard at the local pool and joined the swim and tennis teams in high school.  She graduated from Kennewick High School in Kennewick Washington in 1957.

Joyce was married to the late Thomas Roy Stoner in June of 1958 in Portland Oregon. They lived in Portland, China Lake California, and Pullman Washington while Tom finished his collegiate studies. Joyce was widowed suddenly on March 12th 1970, with three young children. Being a hard worker and practical, she set her mind to raising a young family. Joyce landed a job as a telephone operator at OHSU. Her career lasted 35 years at OHSU, as a telephone operator, trainer, and then a telecommunications analyst.

Most people remember Joyce’s loud boisterous laugh. She was immensely proud of her family and enjoyed family gatherings and Christmas time the most! Joyce was always the first person to lend a hand or a word of advice to anyone who asked. She enjoyed watching all sports and was an excellent swimmer, tennis player and softball player. She was a huge Rams fan, so Sunday mornings were often filled with pancakes and football games. She hosted numerous Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts with all the cousins and made the best stuffing, which we eventually learned to master.

Joyce is survived by three children: Thomas G. Stoner (Kim), Talman S. “Buzz” Stoner (Christi) and Marissa J. King (Kevin). She is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Thomas Roy, Taylor Marie, Tori Rae, Elizabeth Louise, Kaitlyn McKenzie, Kevin Daniel, Talen Seely, Mason, Myles, McKenzie and Nala. She taught her kids and grandkids how to swim. Even with dementia she remembered how to be a lifeguard whenever she was around a pool.

Joyce was predeceased by her loving husband in 1970. Tom was the love of her life and she never remarried. She will be interred with him at a ceremony held at the Riverview Abbey Chapel on Thursday September 29, 2022 at 1:00 pm. The Abbey can be found at 319 SW Taylors Ferry Road Portland OR 97219.

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