Beloved Wife, Mom, Grandma, Maka, Auntie, Sissy and Tom Jones’ secret love Joy Graziano flew from Kansas City to Heaven with well-earned wings on October 5, 2018 after 79 years of challenges won, Chiefs and Royals players put in their place, and countless hearts captivated by her bewitching smile and good-humored twinkle.
Always the life of the party, Joy was not just her name, but her calling on Earth. Whether at a fancy shindig, a cowboy bar, or just a friend’s kitchen table, Joy always lit up a room with her contagious laugh, ferocious hugs, and inability for anyone to remain a stranger in her presence for more than a minute. Wherever she went, Joy left love and good times in her wake.
Born in Lane, Kansas, Joy became the unofficial mayor of Ottawa, Kansas, before settling in Overland Park for the majority of her life. The consummate hostess, Joy welcomed thousands of “like family” customers to Graziano’s Restaurant throughout the 1970s. A first-round draft pick by the Jackson County Sports Authority in 1981, Joy’s wit and charm were instrumental in guiding the Royals to a World Series win – and keeping the Chiefs’ morale up during the dreaded 1980s.
Joy found delight in collecting antiques, gardening, dancing, and her special guys: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond, Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton. Brighter than the flashiest slot machine, “Grandma Casino” was the rare bird equally at home at the riverboats and on the Las Vegas strip. True to her name, Joy reveled in Christmastime, her home bursting at the seams year after year with family, friends, cocktails and every “JOY” decoration west of the Mississippi.
Joy leaves her indelible mark on everyone whose life she touched, particularly her cherished husband Frank; daughters Julie Gorton, Jill Isbell (Pat) and Jody Jonas (Scott); nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and innumerable nieces, nephews and friends whom she fiercely loved with her ever-expanding heart.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home on Friday, October 12th from 6:00-8:00pm. In honor of Joy’s vivacious spirit, the family requests those in attendance to wear bright colors – particularly her favorite color: red.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care; 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri 64114; (816) 363-2600; https://www.kchospice.org/donate/
“Never regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.” – Unknown
