Joyce Willard Keniston, 82
Joyce Willard Keniston, 82, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2017, “to be with her husband Richard.” Joyce was surrounded by her family and her loyal companion “Sheeba” at Hillside Manor in Missoula, after a long battle with cancer.
Joyce is survived by her three children, Donna Caras and husband James Caras of Missoula, Gary Keniston and Mary Ingalls of Missoula, and Julie Reid and husband Larry Reid of Kalispell; three grandchildren, Jennifer Taylor and husband James Taylor of Missoula, Taylor Reid and Hope Martin of Billings, and William Reid of Kalispell; and three great-grandchildren, Devin and Nadelie Taylor of Missoula and Emry Wells of Kalispell.
Joyce was born on July 3, 1934, to Fred and Alice Willard in Hamilton. Joyce attended Hamilton High School and graduated in 1952. Joyce then attended the University of Montana. She took a job with the U.S. Forest Service.
In 1956 she met and married the love of her life, Richard W. Keniston, where they started their journey together of 60 years. Joyce also worked for the Montana Highway Department and then went on to become an Avon representative in 1974, which she continued to do until the last days of her life, for a total of 42 years.
Joyce was also a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi. She enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards and talking on the phone to her family and friends. Of all her accomplishments, Joyce’s greatest achievements have been in the lives of her family and friends and always made everybody feel welcome even if she had just met them. Her favorite title of them all was “Nana” and she so loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her kind heart, brilliant smile and wonderful laugh will be missed dearly. Her generous heart filled her home with love, fun, family and friends, including an attitude that there was always room for one more. She leaves all of her family with the knowledge that they were truly loved. She will be dearly missed by all of her family and many friends.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Richard of 60 years, and her parents Fred and Alice Willard.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula with a graveside service for both Richard and Joyce at Sunset Memorial Gardens, and a reception following back at Garden City Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Partners Hospice in Missoula.
Joyce’s family also wanted to acknowledge the wonderful care she received at the last part of her life from the staff of Hillside Manor.
“Always in our hearts and loved forever.”