Joy Elizabeth Pestal Worcester

Joy Elizabeth Pestal WorcesterJoy was born in Winside, Neb., on April 21, 1919. She was valedictorian of her high school class and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Nebraska with a degree in nutrition.

Joy met her long-time love, Dean Amory Worcester, Jr., in the University of Nebraska’s Palladian Literary Society. They were married in 1941 and enjoyed 57 years of marriage before Dean died in 1998.

Dean and Joy had five children, Jane (Bill Bennett), Jonathan (Kathleen), Mary (Roger L. Anderson), David (Helen) and Mark.

Joy and Dean moved to Seattle in 1946, where Dean became a professor of economics at the University of Washington.

With characteristic gusto, Joy undertook a teaching career even with all five of her children still at home. She earned a teaching certificate and later a masters degree from Seattle Pacific University. She taught preschool and kindergarten at Helen Bush, and first grade for 19 years at Seward Elementary School in Seattle. Joy and Dean also taught character research project Sunday school at the University Congregational Church, where she also sang in the choir.

She later was a PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) group leader.

When she and Dean retired to their Crystal Lake home, Joy became an active and cherished participant in that community’s many activities. Joy enjoyed gardening, teaching, entertaining, learning, reading, volunteering, singing, time with friends and family and making sure everyone felt valued and included. She always put others ahead of herself, never considering such an action a sacrifice.

In her later years, neighbors would see her on her daily walks and would often find little notes or vegetables from her garden in their mailboxes.

Joy had a wide-reaching, positive impact on many lives.

She will be missed by her five children, their spouses, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many, many extended family members, which, to her, also included friends, neighbors, acquaintances and former students. She was aptly named, because she brought joy to so many lives.

There will be a celebration of Joy’s life January 22, 2011, at 1 p.m. in the Crystal Lake Clubhouse.

Joy supported many charities. Therefore, the family requests that, should you wish to make a donation in her name, you choose something dear to your heart.