Joyce Shaffer 92, peacefully passed away on January 31, 2026, in Mt. Vernon, WA.

Joyce was born on December 23, 1933, in Mt. Vernon, WA at home to Herbert and Margret Horton.

She attended grade school at Roosevelt Elementary in Mt. Vernon and graduated from Mt. Vernon high School in 1952. She continued her education at Skagit Valley College, earning an LPN degree in nursing in 1954. Her degree led to employment at Rowley General Hospital, which was Mt. Vernon's first official hospital.

Joyce married Robert Shaffer in 1954, and they settled in Mt. Vernon which is now called Horton Lane. Her first son Jim was born in 1955, and she continued to work in nursing until her second son Terry was born in 1960. After that, she made the decision to concentrate on her family and be a stay-at-home mom. Her daughter Sue was born in 1966.

She moved from Horton Lane in Mt. Vernon in 1971 to her Uncle Hector McKay's farm in Bayview. She lived there until returning to Mt. Vernon in 2012.

Education was always important to her, and with her kids grown, she returned to Skagit Valley college in 1980 and completed her Associates degree in Technical Arts with a certificate in Human Services- Mental Health in 1981. She was an honor roll student both years.

She enjoyed many hobbies including painting, floral design, collecting glassware and bears of all types. She also enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and staying at her cabin on Lake Tyee. Long walks were a daily event rain or shine.

Joyce was a member of Tops Club for over 30 years.

Joyce is survived by her husband Robert Shaffer, her son Terry (Debbie) Shaffer, her daughter Sue (Bernie) LaChance and her grandchildren Bobby Shaffer, Kaylee Shaffer, Lacey (Cory) Howard, Tye Shaffer, Brandon LaChance, Daniel LaChance, Ethan LaChance, and her Great Grandchildren Easton Rayfield, Gunnar Rayfield and Rinny Howard.

She was preceded in Death by her parents Herbert and Margret Horton, Her Brothers Jim, Ralph and Bob, and her sister Clara May, and her son Jim Shaffer.

Open House Reception at Hawthorne Funeral Home reception room on 2-28 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.