Joyce Ann Irvine

Joyce Ann Irvine died on November 5, 2022. She was born to parents William and Lillian Basto in Great Falls, Montana on September 22, 1946. She grew up in Kent where her father worked as an engineer for the Boeing Company.

Joyce died from complications of ALS. She was diagnosed on December 13, 2017. Her goal was to reach the 5-year survival mark. She wanted to beat the odds. With tremendous grit, determination and courage she battled the disease to the very end. This disease never took away her grace and dignity.

Joyce graduated from Kent Meridian High School and after several career changes she decided to enroll at her beloved Evergreen State College. After graduating in 1979 she worked as a business consultant and then went on to have a successful career in financial planning.

She created the Joyce and Alan Irvine Independent Learning Fund at Evergreen that provides financial assistance for students to engage in a variety of educational and enriching learning projects.

Joyce loved volunteering. She continued to stay involved with the University by volunteering to serve 2 stints on the Evergreen State College Foundation Board of Governors, twice as board chair. She volunteered to help on the 2012 Obama reelection committee where she was able to meet with Michelle Obama in a private meeting. She attended the inauguration in our nation’s capital with free admittance to all the festivities on that night. It was a thrilling time. She volunteered at Planned Parenthood once a week for ten years. Before mail-in only voting, she was an election voting worker where she would verify signatures and pass out ballots at the polling center on election days. She also volunteered her time at her granddaughters’ schools when they were young.

Joyce was a loyal friend who was always there to lend support when needed. Her friendships were very important and something to be cherished.

Nothing meant more to Joyce than her family, to watch her son and daughter grow into adulthood and then become parents themselves meant the world to Joyce. She was so proud of them. She loved her family so very much.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, Alan, her son Jeff Baker (Laura) and daughter Jill Lee (John), four beautiful granddaughters, sister Jeannie and brother Billie. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and sister Laverne.

The family would like to give thanks to Dr. Michael Elliott and his staff and to the staff of Evergreen Hospice. A special thanks to Laiza our care giver over the last 8 months who helped bring happiness and joy into our home during this difficult time. A special thanks to Joyce’s good friend Suzanne who stopped by just about every Friday for the last 5 years to have lunch with Joyce to help brighten her day. Finally, a special thanks to the family for all the help and support. They were always there for Joyce.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that you just spread awareness of ALS. We need to find a cure for this horrific disease.

There will be a small gathering of family members followed by a larger celebration of life in the early spring to honor Joyce’s life.