Mrs. Joyce Kendall Riley

March 29, 1928 – June 29, 2016

Joyce was born in Thunder Bay, Canada, when her father, Alfred T. Kendall, was on a special job assignment. Her mother, Jean Freebairn Kendall, was from Glasgow, Scotland. Joyce spent most of her childhood, however, in Minneapolis. She graduated from high school early and was just about to start secretarial school when she met a young sailor, Bill Riley. They were soon married and had two children, Kathleen and Scott.

For the next twenty years, Bill and Joyce traveled around the country, following orders from the Navy, eventually ending up in San Diego where Bill retired. Joyce remained a homemaker during the early years of her marriage – especially handling the many challenges and surgeries needed to repair Kathy’s cleft palate. Once settled in San Diego, Joyce worked for the San Diego County Planning Department.

Joyce loved the outdoors. She and Bill spent many enjoyable moments boating up and down the Southern California coast. She also loved tennis and was on several women’s tennis teams. Her favorite tennis group was with the small, informal gathering each Thursday at the Rancho San Diego courts. Swimming was another favorite pastime. Trained as a life-guard in her teenage years, she helped lead an aquatic exercise group for many years at the Rancho San Diego pool.

Joyce had a simple, straight-forward belief in God and accepted the call from Jesus Christ to love God and love neighbor. She was a back-up clerk of session during the years she and Bill were members of a new church development in Rancho San Diego. When that fell through, they joined El Cajon Presbyterian Church where Joyce served a term as moderator of the Deacons.

Family, of course, was of utmost importance to Joyce. Not only did she raise two children, but she was instrumental in helping care for her two older grandchildren, Shawna and Django, as they grew up. And when Matthew was born, she helped with childcare. Calling them her “angels” she was always ready, willing and able to open up her home for anything they needed. She was thrilled to add to her circle of angels, the great-grandchildren, Tyler, Summer, Hunter and Evelyn.

Her marriage and partnership with Bill was of primary focus. They would have celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in September. Their partnership was a pleasure to observe – always making major decisions together, respecting one another, loving one another in a quiet, yet joy-filled manner.

Her laughing, joy-filled presence will indeed be missed. Her gift of open welcome and unconditional love will be a legacy family and friends can take with them wherever they go.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Joyce and Bill’s name to First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon.