Joyce passed away peacefully at Life Care Center, under the care of Hospice. In Port Townsend Washington. With family by her side.
Joyce L. O’Neal was born in Kansas City MO. To Claire Taylor. She moved to her Grandparents farm in Verdan, OK. before she was a year old. In 1948 she attended Oklahoma University, where she majored in journalism and met her husband Marvin O’Neal. They married in 1951 in Oklahoma.
Joyce worked in the newspaper field for many years winning over 65 awards for her work in writing, editing, design and photography. She was a member of National Federation of Press women.
Joyce attended about 12 different Universities during her lifetime. She was a life long leaner. Her college attendance ranged from 1948 to 2000.
She had many different jobs, a newspaper reporter, editor, administrative assistant, photographer, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor level 3. She taught journalism in Skagit and King Counties in Washington before going back to college at Antioch University in Seattle to obtain a BA Liberal Arts, drug, chemical dependency and domestic violence counseling.
She oragized support groups, held out-patient recovery programs, gave evaluations, at the correctional facilities in Clallam Bay, and with the Quileute Reservation in La Push.
Eventually Joyce opened her own agency in Sequim.
She has been active in Kiwanis clubs for 25 years. Was involved in at least 4 different books clubs at once. Loved “A conversation cafe.” Was one of founders of the homeless shelter in Port Townsend. She had a passion for play writing groups, wrote plays and poems, and acted.
Was active in Unitarian & Unity fellowships.
Joyce was predeceased by her husabnd Marvin and son Hal.
Survived by Denise Junt {Dan} and Eryn O’Neal-Cook {Jerry} 5 Grandchildren Jennifer, Jessica, Geoffrey {Ceirra}, Melissa & Hilary. 7 Great greatgrandchildern Kayla, Tanner, Ashlynn, Mackenzie, Trevor, Tinley & Kaydance.
To Know that “Underneath are the ever-lasting arms,” that God will never fail you nor forsake you:” “04/07/2019 Daily spiritual practice for lent”
Memorial April 27, 2019 3:00 PM Unitarian Fellowship San Juan drive, Port Townsend, WA
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to World wild life fund or ASPCA
