Joy E. Bush

Born to Leonard Thompson and Clara Weiks Thompson in Chehalis, Washington; Joy grew up and attended school in Tenino, Washington, where she met her future husband, David L. Bush. Graduating as the Tenino Class of 1952 Valedictorian, Joy was also involved as Yearbook Editor, Chorus Club and Pep Club.

Joy and David were married in 1954 and eventually settled on the Bush Family homestead in 1959. While raising a family, Joy went back to college and received her teaching degree at St. Martins College in Lacey, Washington, as the class Salutatorian.

For the next twenty-five years, Joy taught at the Tenino Grade School, as both a first and 3rd/4th grade teacher. She was a member of the Slingerland Society of Learning also.

In retirement, Joy enjoyed such hobbies as reading, gardening, visiting family and friends, traveling to Mexico and Hawaii with her husband David, collecting books, hosting family reunions at her home, sharing her garden harvest and attending the 1st Presbyterian church in Tenino, Washington.

While the recent years found Joy with many health challenges, her deep abiding faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, never wavered.

Joy is survived by her five children: daughter Debbie (Barry) Taylor, Salkum, and grandchildren Karie, Leslie, Brett and Chad; son Michael, Hawaii and grandchildren Shane and David; son Curtis, Lacey and grandchild Christian; daughter Cathy (Robert) Steffen, Tumwater, and grandchildren Richard, Rachel and Greyson; and son Rodney, Tenino and 16 great-grandchildren.

Those preceding her in death include both her parents Leonard and Clara, her husband David, her brother Leon and infant son Gary.

Services will be held at Mills & Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater, Washington, On Saturday December 21, 2019 at 1:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, guests are encouraged to bring Teddy Bears, as they will be donated to the St. Peter's Cancer Unit.