Joy Estelle Renick (nee Stucker), 82, of King City, Oregon passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ at Kaiser Westside on the evening of Monday, February 17, 2020. She is survived by her beloved husband of over 56 years, Terry Renick, who together enjoyed sharing life to the fullest as they were side by side through years of love, growing in faith, laughter and tears, celebrations and challenges. Known as people to connect with and also connectors of friends, they were usually “on the go” together enjoying a vast array of experiences. Favorite activities included attending musical and theater performances, hosting fun gatherings of family/friends at home, playing favorite card or board games, and appreciating God’s creation together as they traversed the United States and many places overseas, too. Together they had four cherished children: Terry Jr. (wife Michiko), Lori Wood (husband James), Greg (wife Lindsey), and Jennifer Gold (husband Justin). Loving grandma to Christina (husband Christopher), Kayleigh, Brendyn (wife Katrina), Sarina (husband Kyle), Austin, Christopher, Ryan, Rachel (preceded Joy to eternal life), Gabriella, and Isabella; loving great-grandma to Zaiden, Alexander, Jade, Mia, Luke, and Chloe. Additionally, her life was enriched by her beloved parents and many relatives, her siblings Gene and Darlyne & her sister-in-law Cheryl and their respective spouses - along with her treasured nieces and nephews (Debbie, Nancy, Nova, Diane, Susan, Sally, Tom, Craig, Darren, and Keri) and their spouses and children. Generations of loved ones, yet always room for more in her heart, she was step-grandma to Rowan and Mackenzie (Lindsey’s children) and she lovingly “adopted” some longtime “bonus children” to include Steve Brooks & his family (Susan & Aaron), Lori Ares, and Laurel Mueller with many others referring to her as “Mom” throughout seasons of her life. Many dear friends that are truly like family, blessedly too numerous to list.
Family and friends were the center of Joy’s life and she was intentional to keep in contact with all. Joy faithfully sent her handwritten cards like clockwork for special days, creating Christmas ornament collections that she added one to each year for her entire extended family, and appreciating her family tree growing as seen by photos of new additions decorating the walls & shelves (and always a request to send more!).
Joy was born in Leavenworth, Kansas on April 15, 1937 to her dearly cherished parents, Nova F. and Edna (nee Andrews) Stucker. Youngest of three children, she shared life with her dear siblings (the late) “Gene” Stucker and Darlyne Bender Sheppeard. Her childhood was idyllic with many relatives living nearby and gathering together. She laughed that she would walk down the street and wave to people as her family knew everyone or was family! During the course of her father’s career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, living in homes designated to the warden and top staff members in places adjacent to penitentiary property that most have never set foot upon, including: Leavenworth, Milan, McNeil Island, and literally on Alcatraz Island as her father was associate warden (during days of Capone, Birdman, Kelly, etc.). True to Joy, she described her time on Alcatraz not as living near convicted criminals yet as a time she enjoyed with her siblings and other children on the island and having one of the most beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge and skyline of San Francisco as they looked across the bay or took a boat ride to the city for school, shopping, etc. Feeling safe in these places as “my dad was in charge … and there were guard towers visible, too.” She enjoyed learning and attended Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelors in Education and Masters in Educational Psychology. Describing herself as a potential lifelong student as she thoroughly enjoyed her college years - enhanced by being in Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and her campus job helping to oversee catered events that served dignitaries and U.S. Presidents during campus visits. Her teaching credentials were employed as a teacher from kindergarten through college as she sought ways to light up minds to learn and compassionately assuring that each student knew they were special.
“Behind every great man is a great woman” is illustrated in Joy’s life as she enthusiastically embraced being a homemaker “blooming where she was planted” with cross country relocations as her husband Terry transitioned from the U.S. Air Force and worked for IBM for 30 years. Her ability to lead and organize - ultimately making more friends through the process - is evidenced by her multiple handwritten entries in address books of many lifelong friends. Joy was the automatic “go to person” to get things done well. We lovingly called her our “Energizer Bunny” as she had endless energy as an AMAZING HOMEMAKER (consistently cooking delicious meals and treats, every holiday celebrated as only Joy our “theme queen” could arrange, numerous family outings and trips around the globe, encouraging each child “to try and find something athletic and also artistic to develop your own talents” and then attending related concerts and games for all, welcoming presence “ always room for another seat at the table” attitude, Joy & Terry’s annual epic Christmas party and many other gatherings, everything had a place organizer, loved playing games - including what she dubbed her “B’s” of bridge, board games, bunco, bowling; making her “annual handmade Christmas gift” for her children). Joy was a CHRISTIAN THAT WAS ACTIVE IN HER FAITH AND CHURCH (from teaching children to attending Bible studies, participating on care ministry teams - countless visits with meals she both prepared and coordinated for others), while also a COMMUNITY CONNECTOR AND VOLUNTEER (volunteering with many organizations to include: Alpha Xi Delta Sorority at Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS chapter of Jaycee Janes, Welcome Wagon & PTA’s & booster clubs across the country; and her passion for helping others linked to her volunteering to help children with special needs over a 10-year period - arranging to help learn then fulfill their dreams on behalf of Make-A-Wish Portland, OR).
Her smile and laughter, love of listening to a good story… for those that knew her, you know we have only skimmed the surface of Joy’s way of embracing people, enjoying life, and endless devotion to her family & friends and her Lord Jesus Christ. We deeply appreciate the staff and medical care by Kaiser Permanente and DaVita Clinic at Meridian Park.
May we seek to carry on her boundless legacy as we invite you to gather together with the family for Joy Renick’s Celebration of Life service (***REVISING SERVICE PLANS DUE TO COVID-19 CRISIS; PLEASE EMAIL FAMILY AT [email protected] TO RECEIVE UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION ONCE IT IS DETERMINED*** - FOR SERVICE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Beaverton Foursquare Church (13565 SW Walker Road Beaverton, Oregon 97005).
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