Grandma Joyce

Joyce Haskell: 1931-2011

Today is the funeral of Grandma Joyce, she's been in my thoughts all day.  Joyce and Bruce are special grandparents to us, they adopted us as their grandchildren while on a trip to the UK when we were little.  In fact, I don't remember a time they weren't in our lives.  My dad is a foundling and was brought up in foster care so we have no relations from his side of the family.  Joyce and Bruce fulfilled the role of Grandparents and we love them for it.  The distance between our homes may have been far but there were phone calls and packages for birthdays, Christmas, and just about every other occasion worth celebrating, with the odd trip to the UK in between.  The last time I got to hug Joyce was back in 2004 when I was in Utah for Jay and Nathan's wedding, I'm so glad I got to see her again and chat face to face.  I am thrilled Joyce now gets to be with her beloved Bruce, but I'll miss her.

Joyce's obituary (Ventura County Star, December 30, 2011):

Joyce Lorraine Haskell (1931 -2011)

Joyce Haskell, born in 1931 in Omaha, Neb., returned to her Heavenly Father on Dec 21, 2011.  She is survived by her three children, Michael Haskell, Jenneth Mandeville and Teresa Clark, and adopted family, Olive and Francis Holland; 17 grandchildren and 30 plus great-grandchildren who were the joy of her life.  Her husband, Bruce E. Haskell, Jr., preceded her in death six years ago.  A resident of Thousand Oaks for over 40 years, Joyce will be remembered for her love of all things Scottish, prompted by her in-depth research of family genealogy.  She was an active member of Clan Donald and a contributor to the Culloden Battleground Memorial in Scotland; elected as Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.  A memorial service has been planned by the family for all those interested in celebrating Joyce's life.  It will be held at the LDS Church, 3645 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7.  She will be interred at Pierce Brothers Memorial Park.

Joyce had bagpipes at her funeral.  She rocked!