Joy Thelma Naylor Ryckman passed away surrounded by family on June 2, 2015 at Aspen Gardens where she had resided for just a little over a month. Joy was born October 19, 1918 near Custer, Montana on the homestead of her parents, John Robert Naylor and wife, Elizabeth Larsen. The family moved in 1922 to the Gallatin Valley near Salesville (now Gallatin Gateway) and later to a farm near Bozeman Hot Springs. By the time Joy started attending Monforton School she had been in eight different classroom schools. She graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1936. Her first job after graduating was behind the candy counter in Woolworths in Bozeman and then to Montana (Lovelace) Motor Supply after a session in Billings Business College.
It was at Montana (Lovelace) Motor Supply that she met Stewart Ryckman from Kellogg, Idaho. They married on June 30, 1940 in Bozeman. Joy and Stew transferred with Montana Motor Supply to Missoula and then Kalispell where their first son, Robert Ernest, was born in 1942. Stew worked at several defense projects before moving to Helena in 1944. (Joy made the statement that Helena was okay but she didn’t plan to spend the rest of my life there – haha). Joy remained a homemaker. Daughter, Janice Lyn, was born in 1946 followed by Mark Stewart in 1952 and Ronda Joy in 1953.
Joy worked part-time at various places – Scott’s Toy Shop, J.C. Penny’s, Montana Power, St. John’s Lutheran Church. Stew owned Hi-Way Service Station and Joy did the books. Later Stew worked for Mountain Bell and Joy enjoyed many years at the Department of Highways, retiring in 1981 when Stew’s health was declining.
Joy’s favorite pastime was reading historical novels, doing needlepoint and bowling until her mid-80’s. She loved board games, especially Triple Yahtzee, along with crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. When children were young, Joy was active in Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts cookie sales, PTA and became a member of First Baptist Church of which she is the oldest member today. Joy belonged to the same pinochle club for 63 years, from 1952 until this year. She was passionate about family history and genealogy and wrote up several histories. She was thrilled to learn she was eligible to be a member of the D.A.R. She attended several Naylor family reunions near Kansas City, Missouri and later enjoyed travels to British Isles and the Scandinavian countries. She visited the area in Denmark where her grandparents were born. She and Stew made many trips to Canada to visit his relatives and to Victoria Island.
Joy is preceded in death by her parents, sister, Vi Sorte, brother, Lloyd Naylor, her husband, Stewart, and son, Robert. She is survived by her daughter, Janice Ryckman, son, Mark (Lynae) Ryckman, daughter, Ronda (Mark) Mace, and daughter in law, Mary Ryckman. Joy also leaves behind her devoted grandchildren, Heidi (Rob) Mahr,Troy (Jamie) Walkenhorst, Kim (Duane) Ormsby, Miranda (Roger) Johnson, Kyle (Tina) Mace and Andrew Mace. Greats include Jaclyn (Nathan) Caldwell, Hailey Mahr, Lawson, Kendal, Talon, Reiner Walkenhorst; Delaney, Ashton, Kaya, Teague, Sullivan, North Ormsby; Keelin and Sofie Johnson, Henry and Thomas Mace and a Great-Great , Aspen Caldwell.
The family would like to thank Aspen Gardens and Rocky Mountain Hospice for the wonderful care given to mom. She made many new friends of the staff during her short stay and appreciated the assistance they all gave her. Memorial donations in Joy’s name are suggested to the First Baptist Church or the Lewis & Clark Humane Society.
A viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 8th, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Montana, corner of 8th and Warren, with a Funeral service to follow the viewing at 11:00 a.m. at the church. A reception will be held at the church after the funeral. Burial will follow the reception at Forestvale Cemetery.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Joy.
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Monday June 8, 2015
First Baptist Church of Montana
Corner of 8th and Warren
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday June 8, 2015
First Baptist Church of Montana
Corner of 8th and Warren
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Monday June 8, 2015
First Baptist Church of Montana
Corner of 8th and Warren
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
After the reception
Monday June 8, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Monday June 8, 2015
First Baptist Church of Montana
Corner of 8th and Warren
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday June 8, 2015
First Baptist Church of Montana
Corner of 8th and Warren
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Monday June 8, 2015
First Baptist Church of Montana
Corner of 8th and Warren
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
After the reception
Monday June 8, 2015
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Mindy Bausch says
Joy had a gentle soul and was such a sweet woman. She will be missed by her family as well as her families family. Rest well Joy you are loved!
Karen Munson says
Became a good friend of Janice’s in elementary school and have continued that friendship for 60+ years. In grade school, I was either at Jan’s house (I’m sure Joy got VERY tired of seeing me) or Jan was at my house in the valley. We created many, many wonderful memories. Joy was always so nice to me when I was at their house. Stew and my Dad Dan were good friends and she and my mom became friends. A wonderful lady. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Dave C. Naylor says
My sweet Aunty Joy. They do not make them like her any more. I will miss her. God rest her soul.
Susan & Rich Proul says
Mark, Lynae and family, we are sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Kyle Mace says
Our matriarch will truly be missed. She always kept in touch with her family and friends and was well-known for wonderful notes or cards that were fed through her typewriter. She had a great memory and could easily recite the names, birth dates and other events in the lives of her immediate and extended family members. She was thoughtful, tenacious, dutiful, and candid. Thanks Grams, we love you.
Bob & Connie Olson says
Janice, Mark, and Ronda and families: We have lived across the street from Joy for 40+ years and will miss her smiling face and very kind heart. Bob (Ole) worked for Stew years ago at the Hwy 66 station, rode bikes with Bobbie, and was in the car club with Mark. Connie grew up in the neighborhood so also knew the family well.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you throughout this sad time. We are unable to attend Joy’s services due to other commitments, but will be thinking of you.
Peggy Ryckman says
I will so miss receiving the cards & letters Joy typed on her typewriter & then hand-corrected the typos. Whenever I was in Helena, we always had lunch at Jorgenson’s – her choice! – & then spent several hours looking at pictures & recalling old memories. She was & will always be very special to me.
Robert G. Naylor says
I met Joy in 1988 at a Naylor reunion in Platte City, Mo. She led several reunions and one I am most thankful for is her leading me to Carol Brenner and her resurrection of the Naylor Cemetery in Platte County.
Joy and I wrote to each other for over twelve years exchanging genealogy notes and family stories. I will miss her so much.
Carol Bridge says
Jan and family, Seeing Joys picture brought memories back when we lived on Harris street and she on the corner of Harris ad ??? Anyway I remember Joy in her yard then and watching over her children. My prayers are with you and your family. Peace be with you now and always. Many Blessings Carol Bridge
James Ryckman says
To the Ryckman family. I’am so very sorry to hear the passing of Joy. She was a great lady and a incredible person. The family history knowledge was amazing. Last year she helped me find my great, great grandfathers, 2nd family, (age 95) Wow! Thanks you so much for all the good times , the visits, phone calls and the many, many letters you sent to me. I still have them all. Thank you, thank you Joy. Joy, you will always have a very special place in our heart. Our family will always love you……
Marsha Hayslett Miller says
I just found out about Joy’s passing. She was a wonderful source of information for all of her Naylor cousins, including me. The research she did is invaluable to all in the extended Ignatius Naylor (Platte County MO) family. What amazes me is that despite writing a large book on the Naylors, Joy still was researching only two years ago. Joy will be missed but the Naylor genealogy she penned is a living legacy to her fortitude.
David Mount says
Sorry for your loss. Joy corresponded with my parents in Canada. I was wondering if she ever wrote her Ryckman book? I just came across a letter she wrote Mom and Dad in 1998
Dave Mount
705-489-1614
d.mount@sympatico.ca