Joyce Marie (Kovacs) Casey

Joyce was born in Richland, Washington, on January 8, 1966, one of twin girls to John and Lois Kovacs.  She was born with a hole in her heart, which later proved to have significant health issues and consequences.  She grew up battling pain, limited physically in what she could do, but that did not slow her down.  She lived life to the fullest.  She worked hard and played hard, but more than anything else she focused on sincere relationships with other people.  

She graduated from Hanford High School in 1984 and took a few years off to work before eventually settling on nursing as a career.  This was something she had prepared for by being the patient and felt this was her life's calling.  She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1993 and began working as a nurse at Kadlec Medical Center in 1995, eventually becoming the nurse manager in the pediatrics unit and the neonatal ICU.  She met and married a fellow nurse, Roger Casey.  They became friends before she was smitten, and he became her faithful companion.  They were married on October 14, 1995.  Their family became complete when they adopted a son, Joshua.  She poured herself into her son, whom she loved intensely.  She left Kadlec in 2005 to begin work as a school nurse for the Richland School District. It was a fulfilling job and she loved interacting with the kids and staff. 

 Joyce was actively involved in ministry at her church, the Apostolic Christian Church, in Richland. She loved serving the Lord in as many different areas as she could.   She and Roger were actively involved in their church teaching, mentoring, counseling, and supporting.  They served as Youth Group advisors, Youth Choir chaperones for several years, participated yearly in church family camps serving in a variety of roles, and helping out with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), she loved music, teaching herself to play the piano at an early age.  She enjoyed singing and constantly played music wherever she went. Her most important work in her eyes was as a prayer warrior, constantly placing a priority on time spent in prayer. 

 She was limited physically by her heart, but anyone who knows her would say that her heart was the best thing about her.  She loved deeply and generously.   She was a people person, constantly investing in other people, without expecting anything in return.  She is survived by her husband, Roger; son, Joshua; parents, John and Lois Kovacs; sister Beth (Tim) Stumetz;  twin sister Jane (Juarez) Toth, brother Dean (Lois) Kovacs; ten nieces, ten nephews, five great nieces, and seven great nephews who loved her dearly.  

We would like to especially thank the University of Washington cardiology team; the Mayo Clinic staff; the Vibra Specialty Hospital staff and the Legacy Emmanuel staff for all of their kind and compassionate care they gave her this past year.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 4, 2016 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Events at Sunset. A Funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Apostolic Christian Church, 1749 Stevens Drive in Richland. A Graveside service will follow the funeral at Sunset Gardens. The family invites you for a reception to follow the graveside back to the Apostolic Christian Church.

Memorial donations can be made to the Tri-Cities Pregnancy Network or to the Apostolic Christian Church.