The phrase "she's never met a stranger" is a lovely way to illustrate the warmth someone offers to people.  Yet it doesn't adequately measure the love, kindness and acceptance given to others by our wonderful wife, mom and grandma.

Joyce Marguerite Hairr passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2023, with her husband Charles at her side.  No doubt this was exactly how she intended to leave us, as she spent her entire life being thoughtful in her actions and caring for others' needs first.

Joyce was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the oldest of four children to Arthur and Cecilia Blackburn.  In her early adulthood, Joyce enjoyed work and travel, working as a telephone operator for a time, and chasing the sun to Hawaii and Mexico.  But it was a warm summer evening in 1964 that changed her life, when she met a young sailor named Charles at a country-western bar north of Bellingham.  Neither one of them could remember the name of the bar five decades later, but the name doesn't matter.  The journey that began there does.

Joyce and Charles were married on May 1, 1965, in a ceremony that included a bridal gown, bridesmaid dresses and a flower girl dress all meticulously sewn by Joyce, her talent shining through on that special day.  Joyce and Charles made their home in Oak Harbor, and welcomed son Dennis and daughter Linda to make their family complete.  During the 60's and 70's, Joyce was a dutiful Navy wife, taking care of the family and home while Charles was deployed on aircraft carriers, often for six-month stretches.  Reunions at NAS Whidbey were always special, and upon returning home Charles was always impressed and grateful to see how well Joyce handled everything on her own with two young and busy children.

In 1979, the family moved to Sedro-Woolley, in the beautiful rural area of Alger.  Joyce enjoyed camping in Winthrop and adventures driving cross-country to North Carolina to visit Charles' family.  Joyce was a fan of the Mariners and the Seahawks, and as a Canadian, of course she was a hockey fan too.  But she loved the Burlington-Edison Tigers the most, and would beam with pride as she shared her two youngest granddaughters' volleyball successes.  She found her greatest joy in caring for people.  Whether it be her husband and kids, her extended family, her childrens' friends, her camping buddies—there was always a cup of coffee to be shared, a seat at her table and cookies in the cookie jar for any visitor.

Joyce is survived by her best friend and husband of 57 years, Charles, her son Dennis Hairr, daughter Linda Tyler, son-in-law Jason Tyler, and grandchildren Tricia Hairr, Dustin & Katie Hairr, Brooke Tyler and Reese Tyler, as well as her sisters Doreen Blackburn and Shirley Felker, and a treasured extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.  She is preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Cecilia, and her dear brother Bob.

Joyce's family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the team at Hospice of the Northwest for the loving care they provided, especially her nurse Rose. We would also like to thank her caregiver Ramona, for being everything we didn't know we needed.   If you wish to honor Joyce's life and legacy, a gift in her name can be made to Hospice of the Northwest, an organization that became so meaningful to our family over the past few months.

Joyce's favorite motivational quote was simple and direct:  "If you're gonna do it, then do it."  Whether it be family, love, marriage, parenting, grand-parenting, creating, cooking, humor, strength or her abundant warmth and kindness for all, you did it Joyce.  You did it well.

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.