Joyce Ann Barton

Joyce Ann Barton was born in Denver, Colorado on May 8, 1943 to Johnson and Anna Barton. She lived a vibrant and beautiful life, blessing all those around her. Joyce passed away on May 9, 2023 in Littleton, CO, just 90 minutes after her 80th birthday.

Joyce attended Englewood High School, along with her sister Mary Ellen (MeMe) and brother John. She spent most of her life living in Englewood and Littleton, CO, but also enjoyed living in Phoenix, AZ for many years, surrounded by extended family that she loved spending time with.

Joyce cherished her role as mother to Rusti (1961), Rick (1963), Joel (1966), and twins, Jodie and Jon (1969). She became beloved “Auntie Joyce” to Rhonda, Lisa, Celia, Tonia, Angela, Allen and Chad. She also played an important role as auntie to their children, Eric, Curtis, Gena, Christopher, Jake, Amos, Zach, Sarah, Kenny, Derek, Sam, Kayleigh, Karah and Khrystal.

She became known as the ‘Queen Bee’ hairdresser in Englewood when she opened her own salon called “The Cuttery”. This later expanded into her larger Beauty Salon, called ‘The Image Emporium’ which offered Tanning, Fitness Classes and other services. She was loved by so many…friends easily became family to her. She also owned and operated ‘South Side Lawn & Leisure’ for many years, which also sold patio furniture on Broadway where the Barton family was well known.

Joyce became ‘Jaja’ in 1987 when her first grandchild Nathan was born. Megan, Josh, Jamie, Emily, Killian, Cassidy, Christian and Jordan soon followed. Her grandkids loved spending time with her at her place on Lake Granby, which became everyone’s ‘happy place’ over the years. She welcomed anyone who needed to escape to her tranquil piece of paradise…painting rocks, taking walks, playing cards, enjoying the sunsets and pelicans, conversing over coffee and around the campfire, sprucing up her cute place (nick-named ‘Many Moose Cottage’) and boating with the family. Countless amazing memories were made under her loving care and generous spirit.

Joyce was diagnosed in 1998 with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and given just 5-7 years to live. She then embarked on a health journey that opened up a whole new world of knowledge, health and friendships. She became passionate about sharing Juice Plus+ products. She joined the Juice Plus+ Community and advanced to a Senior Sales Coordinator position before retiring at the end of 2022. Juice Plus+ was an important part of her life, and she endorsed that it kept her alive for another 25 years!

Joyce was an accomplished artist and gifted many family and friends with her beautiful paintings…many of them nature scenes and animals. She also was a gifted writer. She authored three self-published books that were very popular among family and friends – “Home to Tomorrow”, “A Cupid’s Touch” and “Echoes of Dreams”.

Joyce was so proud as she became ‘JaJa’ to a new generation of precious great-grandbabies….Sawyer, Hannah, Brayden, Saylor, Layne and David. She relished time with them and bragged on their accomplishments and cuteness.

Joyce was preceded in death by her adored older sister Mary Ellen Curtis and her brother-in-law Ron Curtis; her beloved daughter Ruscel Wynne Veenstra; her former husband Russ Veenstra; and her parents, Johnson and Anna Barton.

She is survived by her children…Rick (and Cindy) Veenstra; Joel (and Cheryl) Veenstra, Jodie Veenstra and Jon (and Renee) Veenstra. And her grand-children… Nathan (and Janna), Hannah and Brayden Veenstra; Megan (and Sam), Layne Snyder; Josh (and Alexandra), Saylor Veenstra; Jamie (and Jordan), Sawyer Manning-Griffith; Emily (and Rob) Allred; Killian Riles; Cassidy Veenstra; Christian (and Cheyenne), David Veenstra; and Jordan Veenstra.

Joyce Ann Barton was well-loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed. But we know that we will see her again in Heaven someday and that gives us much comfort, amidst the sorrow.

A ‘Celebration of Life’ service for Joyce will be held on Saturday, July 15th at 11am at Grace Chapel, 8505 South Valley Highway, Englewood, CO 80112

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lakewood-co/joyce-barton-11284884/add-memory for the Barton/Veenstra family.