Joyce Ann Bennion

Joyce Ann Bennion
February 14, 1928 - November 2, 2014
Joyce Ann Bennion quietly passed away Sunday, November 2, 2014 in her home in Boise, Idaho. Always classy, always kind, Joyce struggled valiantly for nearly four years, but finally succumbed to Osteomyelitis as a result of wounds caused by radiation treatment for Squamous cell cancer.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 8, at St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral, The Very Rev. Richard Demarest presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel.
Joyce was born February 14, 1928 in Detroit, Michigan to Gerald and Charlotte (Guthard) Mulleavy. When she was a young girl, the Depression compelled the family to move into her grandparent's home on Grixdale Avenue off Woodward.
She roomed with her sister and two cousins - "The Grixdale Girls". Joyce had many happy memories of those years: eating (often!) a dozen Parker House rolls and her dinner, sneaking a smoke in her bedroom with her best friend, sitting in the garden of the Dakota Inn Rathskeller with her grandfather; working at S. S. Kresge Company (later renamed Kmart); and drinking many many Vernor's floats.
Joyce was the first person in her family to go away to college, attending Albion College for one year (Delta Zeta sorority), and then Wayne State University, Detroit, graduating with a degree in Medical Technology. In 1951, despite her family's concerns about the "Wild West", Joyce boarded the Denver Zephyr train with four close friends, and traveled to Denver, Colorado to seek employment. She promised to only be gone for one year, but never returned to live in the Motor City.
Joyce worked for two young family practitioners in their new office at 4105 E. Florida Avenue, in Denver. One of the doctors fell head over heels for this Valentine baby and her beautiful blue eyes. A bit of dancing to the songs of Frank Sinatra took place during their courtship. Joyce and Ben were married on October 28, 1960, whereupon Joyce was immediately plunged into life as a stepmother to four boys! Joyce exhibited tremendous amounts of fortitude and determination while raising those boys. She often said it was a good thing the laundry room was next to the kitchen, for it was not unusual for Joyce to peel five pounds of potatoes for one meal, while washing multiple loads of blue jeans! In 1962, their first child, a daughter, was born. Four years later, after much cajoling and persuasion, Joyce's wish for another child was granted. A second daughter!
While Ben was busy with his private practice, building furniture and breaking horses, Joyce raised the six children, volunteered at the schools, took up sewing and needlepoint, bowled in a league, helped Ben build a home in Vail, Colorado, gardened, volunteered at the Channel 9 Health Fair office, and learned how to play piano. Ben retired in 1985, and the two spent many years traveling the globe, always returning to their four and a half acres on the edge of Denver, where they continued to raise horses, enjoy the grandchildren and gaze at the view from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak.
In 1997, after Ben's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, they elected to move to Boise, Idaho. Joyce took care of Ben in their home for a couple of years, only very reluctantly allowing others to care for him during his final two years of life. Following Ben's death, Joyce kept busy by volunteering in Out Patient Recovery at St. Luke's Hospital, and in St. Michael's Cathedral office, gardening, traveling with family, attending the grandchildren's activities, and making friends at the senior exercise program at Fort Boise Community Center.
The last few years have been filled with far too many doctor appointments and medical treatments. Joyce fought fiercely and bravely, walking many steps when others might have given up or fallen. Her family feels honored to have witnessed her courage, and hopes to match Joyce's determination and resolve in their own lives. Joyce is whole again, wrapped in Ben's arms and dancing to the songs of Frank Sinatra.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Harry Swanson, stepson Joel C. Bennion, husband Ben W. Bennion, brother-in-law Theodore Zegouras, and her beloved Bichon Frisé, Misty.
Joyce is survived by her sister Joan E. Zegouras of Henderson, NV; cousins Judith M. Townsend (Thomas) of Coeur d'Alene, ID and Nancy L. Foril of Brighton, MI; daughter Joan B. Peterson, her husband Mark, and grandchildren Samantha and Zach; daughter Julie A. Bennion; stepsons Mark (Chung) Bennion, Robert Bennion and Bruce (Loretta) Bennion, and grandchildren Kelly Bennion, and Chloe and Joel Bennion.
The family wishes to thank Joyce's exceptional caregivers: Nora, Teresa, Christine, Terrie, Vanessa and Linda; Dr. Marian Shaw; Dr. Elaine Ladd; Dr. Michael Bailey; Fred Friel PA-C; Dr. Richard Uhlmann; Dr. Birgitt Dau; Michael Smith PA-C; Dr. Bret Williams; Dr. William Stano; Dr. Raymond Otto and the staff of Elks Wound Center; the "Moxie Girls" - Bev, Eileen, Hilda & Shirley; Deborah, Amy and Danny - who accommodated Joyce's every need; and Heather, whom Joyce called "friend".
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral in Boise, ID or Idaho Public Television.