Joyce Elaine Todd

On August 9, Joyce, a long-time resident of Longmont and Lyons Colorado, passed away at the age of 93 from living a long and active life. She was a 3rd generation Colorado native, born on July 30, 1927 to Emma and Lyle Inman of Denver Colorado. Joyce grew up in the Denver neighborhood of Washington Park, where she was a student of South High school. It was there that she met her husband of 67 years, Byron Todd. After graduating high school, Joyce continued her education at DU where she earned her bachelor’s degree in interior design, an area she undeniably had a talent for. In high school, she worked on 16th Street, alongside her mother at Baur’s confectionary and was later employed at Neusteter’s throughout her college days. Her father was head of the composing room for the Rocky Mountain News, something she was always very proud of. In 1949, Joyce & Byron had their first child, Suzanne, followed by their son Robert in 1953. Byron was an executive at Sears which lead them around the country, living in a total of 7 cities, an experience which she truly enjoyed. However, she was a Colorado girl at heart and they eventually returned home to be near her parents and in-laws. It was here where she spent the remainder of her life. Her passions were gardening, painting, needle-pointing, entertaining, pugs and traveling the world with her husband and friends. Joyce was an accomplished needle-pointer, so much so, that an American flag that she needle-pointed for NASA now resides in a time-capsule on the moon. She was a true patriot to her country. Joyce was also an avid baseball fan and even at age 90, she knew that the Rockies needed some quality starters.

She is survived by her children, Suzanne Todd, a Denver art gallery owner, her son Bob and his wife Kris Todd of Lyons, as well as two grandchildren, Ellen Brenot and her husband Jeff of Washington Park, Ben Todd, his wife Tami and her great-grandson Lenni of Berthoud. She also leaves behind her niece April Kunz and her three children, Katharine, Marianne and JB of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Chuck Reinke of Phoenix, Arizona. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Emma and Lyle Inman, her beloved husband Byron, many lovely friends of America’s greatest generation as well as Marion Rochelle, her cousin and life-long pal. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Longmont Animal Shelter in the name of her precious pugs, Poppy and Pepper.