Joyce Slaughter

Ethel Joyce Slaughter, known to all as “Joyce”, the daughter of George and Geraldine Atwood, was born in Creston, IA. Joyce had a great childhood and she loved her mother dearly, however her memoirs frequently stated that her father was the joy of her life as a young girl. Her older sister Joanne was an important mentor to her while growing up. Joyce attended the University of Nebraska Teachers College and graduated in 1948.

After graduation, she moved to Corpus Christi, TX with her parents.

There is where she met Jerry D. Slaughter to who she married on July 3rd, 1953 and they moved to Denver shortly after. They had three wonderful children; Robin, Jon, and Dori, who Joyce always said she was truly blessed with. Her favorite thing in the whole world was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She often said, ‘there is no other greater love than that of a parent.’

Joyce had a very remarkable and fulfilled lifestyle. The family had the wonderful opportunity of living the country - life while the kids were young. Joyce had a deep love for animals and they had many interesting pets throughout her life, including as wild as an African Lion Cub, goats, horses, cows, but her favorite of them all were her Mastiffs.

In 1974, she opened up Front Range Travel and also went on to work for America West Airlines, which allowed her to travel the world to such unique places as London, Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Hawaii, Turkey, to some which she visited more than once. Joyce was also an extremely talented artist. She enjoyed drawing, painting, and writing. Her favorite hobbies included making jewelry, knitting, and crocheting. As well as keeping up-to-date on CNN.

Joyce passed away after a tough two week battle in the hospital post-surgery at University of Colorado Hospital. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. She will be dearly missed by those she has touched. Joyce left behind three children, her daughter Robin Tichy and husband Rob, her son Jon Slaughter, and daughter Dori Garin and husband Marc. Six grandchildren: Rebecca Schafer, Raelene Tichy, Mitchell Bennett, Cole Bennett, Amanda Bennett, and Jeremy Slaughter. Also five great-grandchildren: Mikaela Tichy, Mariah Schafer, Cameron Tichy, Kennedy Bennett, and Braxton Bennett. She also left other step grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, George and Geraldine and sister, Joanne.