Joyce Lugene Lape, 83
Joyce Lugene Lape, 83, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, in Henderson, Nevada, with family by her side.
Joyce was born in Oklahoma to Roy and Mae Cartright who moved to Ophir, California, where they raised their seven children whom she is survived by, Charles Cartright of Ophir, Roy Cartright of Sacramento, California, Roger Cartright of Sacramento, Fay Hayward of Auburn, California, Judy Price of Citrus Heights, California, and Max Cartright of Loomis, California.
Over her life, Joyce had nine children, Debra Sullivan of Salem, Oregon, Derek Ford of Kalispell, Sandra Ford of Auburn, Randy Ford of Kalispell, Linda David of Kalispell, Roger Ford of Weaverville, California, Nannette Avery of Kalispell, Dawn Hershey of Henderson, Nevada, and Michelle Brantingham of Yuba City, California.
During her time with us, Joyce lived her life to the fullest, traveling extensively living in California, England, Florida, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and most importantly Montana where she met the love of her life, Laurel Lape, with whom she spent some of her happiest years, created some of her happiest memories, built her life, and with whom she is finally reunited with.
Throughout her life, she was also a known force to be reckoned with, running her own business, Lape’s One Stop in Swan Lake, fighting for the rights of women and children through her participation in many organizations such as the National Organization of Women, which she helped grow by aiding in the founding of the Montana chapter in the 1970s. She was also one of the first women in Montana to run for public office on a platform of social reform and relief, and while she did not succeed in attaining office, she left behind cracks in a glass ceiling that had not yet been broken through. Throughout her life she was known for her immense strength of character, her great capacity for compassion, and her unmatched sense of self and her family.
She leaves behind her the proud legacy of her loving nine children, her 32 grandchildren, and her 28 great-grandchildren. She will be much missed by her family, all those who knew her, and by all those who benefited from the great work she undertook throughout her life. The world is a lesser place now that we have lost her, but it is a greater place for having had her in it.
To celebrate the life of Joyce Lugene Lape, her family will be hosting a small remembrance ceremony for her at 1 p.m. on Feb. 4 at Willow Beach, Arizona, and will host her actual memorial at the family cabin outside Swan Lake this July — final date to be announced.