Joyce Ellen Wood

She is survived by her children, Lisa (Pete) Ottomanelli, Kevin Wood and Steven Wood; her grandchildren, Timmy, Ellen, Teddy and Emma; her siblings, David (Gretchen) Miller, Craig (Joyce) Miller, Connie (John) Elliott and John Miller; and nieces, nephews and friends that were like family. She is preceded in death by her father, Arthur “Bud” Miller, her mother, Ellen Miller, and her sister, Carol.

Joyce was born in Burlington, IA on May 4, 1953. An imaginative child that loved books and music, she treasured her relationships with her grandparents, John and Ethel Stoller, her parents, siblings and friends. She made California her home in the 1970s and had a long career in staffing services but no job was more important to her than being a mom (and later, a Grandma). She had seemingly endless energy to take care of people around her, was the most loyal friend and thoughtful gift-giver. Nothing made her happier than bringing others together for festive holiday celebrations, spending time with her kids and grandkids, talking politics, going to the movies with friends or getting lost in a good book. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family and all who knew her.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00am on January 5th at the Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano