Joyce Arlene Underwood's Obituary
Joyce Underwood dearly loved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully at home in St. Helena, California on June 22, 2024, at the age of ninety-four. Her loss is profoundly felt by her large family and the many friends who have known and loved her.
Joyce was born on February 23rd,1930 in Ballard, Washington and was raised close to her Norwegian heritage. Joyce moved to Tacoma with her parents, Harry and Amy Bell, when her father accepted a transfer with the Golden Rule Bakery. Joyce would spend summers with her Aunt Marty and Uncle Bill at Mt. Rainier creating cherished childhood memories.
Joyce graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948, where she met her future husband, George Underwood, in the fall of 1946. Their association was a strong love that grew into a seventy-five-year great marriage.
The family had the good fortune to move to Bermuda in 1956, when George had the opportunity to transfer as a civilian to Kindley Air Force Base. The relocation proved to be a great move for the family. Bermuda was a very friendly setting with excellent weather for the Underwood family to enjoy fourteen years of unforgettable memories. The family moved back to their home at Spanaway Lake in the Spring of 1970.
Joyce had many enjoyable careers and accomplishment in her life, including being a fantastic wife, mother and grandmother, winner of the Mrs. Tacoma Beauty Contest in 1949, Associate at Bermuda Forwarders, accountant at Navy SOFAR in Bermuda,
receiving her bachelor’s degree at Pacific Lutheran University, Teacher at Spanaway Junior High School, and licensed Real Estate agent for Crown Properties.
George and Joyce had a great time in their retirement, traveling and visiting with family and friends. They lived in St. Helena, California for the last twenty-one years.
The Underwood Family has experienced a deep sense of loss with the passing of our mother. Joyce was proceeded in death by her beloved husband George Underwood and son-in-law Frank Husic, and survived by her sons George Underwood (Linda), Steve Underwood (Carol), Richard Underwood (Kim) and Daughter Julie Husic, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren who will carry forward her legacy of love and strength.
Memorial services to be held on July 27th at 1:00 pm in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home with Grave Site service at 2:30, located at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA. Following the services, a reception will be held in the Grado Room at Oakbrook Golf Club located at 8102 Zircon Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA from 3:00 to 5:30.
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