E. Joyce Logan Conklin, 86

Joyce, being a woman of great faith, “decided when the saints came marching” in on All Saints Day that she would march out with them” Nov. 1, 2017, at the age of 86.

She was born June 11, 1931.

Joyce was full of surprises right up to the very end. She overcame breast cancer, falling down the stairs and breaking her neck, and thyroid cancer with a no survival rate. The family had to ask doctors to stop telling Joyce what she couldn’t live through, because she just lived on anyway. She liked to have it her way. It should not have been a surprise to her family that she marched of out of this life with a heart attack when she had no history of this disease. Joyce kept us on our toes until the last minute.

Joyce had an avid love in life for welcoming people into the family, especially at holidays, listening to your woes, not offering advice even when you really wanted it. She always said you would figure it out. Joyce was right. We did. Right or wrong, we owned what we had done. She made sure of it. She was there to drive us, cheer us on, bake something, sew it for us or let us know when we screwed up. Joyce was a steward of the earth before it was in style. If she wouldn’t put it in the land, she didn’t put it in her body, even if you were her doctor telling her it was OK.

Joyce was a woman of many talents. She always had a smile on her face and a heart of gold. She was sweet, with a side of zesty, to keep life interesting.

She is survived by her husband, five children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren who will miss her more than words can say. Rest in the arms of Jesus. You have been so strong for so long.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at Christ Episcopal Church, with a reception to follow at 215 Third Ave. East, Kalispell. A Committal ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. July 7 at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Joyce would want you to do a big random act of kindness. (Now, do it, she really means it!) She was a big believer in volunteering and being kind to others. Please pick the charity of your choice and donate generously to it.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.