Joyce Eileen Walcott, age 55, of Kennewick, Washington, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2023 at Hospice House in Kennewick after a valiant battle with cancer. Her husband was at her side. Joyce was born in 1968 in Encino, California to George and Dianne McDonald and was the youngest of three children. The family moved to Eagle River, Alaska in 1970, returned to southern California in 1972, and settled in the Tri-Cities in 1974. She grew up in Burbank, Washington, graduating from Columbia High School in 1986. She was active in band (clarinet), volleyball, and ran the 800 meters in track.

Joyce was a highly regarded, licensed optician for many years in the Tri-Cities. She was a past vice president and past president of the Opticians Association of Washington. She also bought and sold antiques online. She enjoyed photography, fishing, playing cards, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her father, George McDonald, and her granddaughter, Evelyn. She is survived by her husband, Mark Walcott of Kennewick Washington; three children from her first marriage (Todd Carlon), Stephanie Didier (husband Shane) of Pasco, Washington, Pamela Carlon of West Richland, Washington, and Quinn Carlon of Pasco, Washington; stepson Trevor Walcott (wife Kristine) of Kennewick, Washington; granddaughter Carly Jo; step grandchildren Brayden, Hudson, and Emmitt; mother Dianne Najarian of Pasco, Washington; brother John McDonald of Kennewick, Washington; sister Joanne Pulst (husband Wes) of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; stepsister BethAnn Radke (husband Tom) of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; and stepbrother Nikolas Najarian of Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Joyce showed everyone that when life presents us with a challenge, you should meet the adversity head-on, stay optimistic, and keep going. She fought a heroic battle against cancer and never once gave up, fighting hard to the very end. She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society.