Joyce Lee Conner passed away August 29, 2006. She was born April 4, 1935, in Wallowa, Oregon. Joyce graduated from Wallowa High School in 1953. She did all of the artwork for her high school yearbook, was a song leader, a member of the student council, and was the basketball homecoming queen. Joyce also enjoyed hours of horse back riding with friends. After graduating from high school, she earned her certificate to become a dental assistant in Walla Walla. On November 24, 1955 she married Sid Conner, her brother's classmate from Wallowa High School. Their union was blessed for 49 years until Sid's passing in May of 2005.

Sid and Joyce then moved to Seattle. Joyce was the wage earner of the family, working as a dental assistant, while Sid attended pharmacy school and subsequently and unfortunately graduated as a dreaded Husky. Here they started their family.

Sid and Joyce moved to Othello, Washington for a brief time, before moving to Walla Walla. In 1968, Sid and Joyce moved to Waitsburg after purchasing the drug store and pharmacy. Joyce worked as a sales associate for many years until she retired in 1995.

Joyce was active in many organizations during her years in Waitsburg. She was a Blue Bird leader, a Camp Fire Girl leader, a Sunday school teacher, and a J-High Church Group leader. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Waitsburg. Joyce was also involved with Friends of the Library, as well as the P.E.O. organization.

Joyce loved the outdoors. Sid and Joyce purchased a camper, where they took their young family on many vacations, with long time camping buddies. Sid and Joyce would take long day trips, traveling to the Blue Mountains to search for mushrooms the edible kind.

It is an understatement to say that Joyce was very creative; she was an accomplished painter, enjoyed ceramics and flower arranging. Joyce also loved her garden of flowers and vegetables. She was an avid reader and a great cook.

After their retirement in 1995, Sid and Joyce sold their pharmacy in Waitsburg and bought a house in north Richland in order to be closer to their daughters and grandkids. They both spent much of their time re-landscaping their home, in which they did a truly remarkable job. They also enjoyed long walks along the river with their dog. Sid and Joyce always took an annual trip with long time friends. Joyce also attended nearly all of her grandkids football, basketball, softball, and baseball games.

Joyce leaves her three daughters, Cassandra Leid and grandson Nick; Jennie DeVine and husband Denny and grandkids Danae, Jalen, and Jared; and Mary Conner. She was preceded in death by her husband Sid, her parents Floyd and Grace Thomason and her brother Buddy.

Joyce was a very devoted wife and a wonderful mother, a mother who was also a great friend to her daughters. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. The Conner house was the local hang out for all of the neighborhood kids. Joyce had a special way of welcoming new family into her home and making everyone comfortable.

Joyce had a kind and loving spirit which endeared her to everyone she met throughout her life. She established many great friendships - from her high school days on through her later life. It brings joy to those she left behind that her grandkids all got to know her very well before her health declined. We love you and miss you, mom.

A special thank you is extended to the staff at Guardian Angels in Richland where Joyce resided for the last year - they are the true Angels. Also, thanks to the hospice staff. Services will be held at the Wallowa, Oregon cemetery at 2:00 on September 10, 2006. Refreshments and cake will be served at the Wallowa Senior Center immediately afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local Breast Cancer Society.