Joy S. Hancock Pigott Moeller Lovell

1939 - 2019

Joy S. Hancock Pigott Moeller Lovell

Born: August 28, 1939; in Bonham, TX

Died: January 3, 2019; in DeKalb, IL

Joy S. Hancock Pigott Moeller Lovell died January 3, 2019, in DeKalb, Illinois, of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; she was surrounded by her children and husband. Joy was born in Bonham, Texas, on August 28, 1939 to Edward Earl Hancock and Mildred Abeldt Hancock. A 1957 graduate of DeKalb High School, she attended the University of Iowa.

She married John Lawrence Pigott at the First Methodist Church of DeKalb in 1959. Joy and John raised four children on the family farm until John's sudden death in 1969.

In 1971 she married Wayne Arthur Moeller. They lived in Elgin, Illinois, for three years and then moved to Seneca, Missouri, where she operated a beef cattle farm so that her children could return to a farm environment as she had intended. Once the children were grown, the couple moved to Omaha, Nebraska. In 1995 when Wayne retired, they headed west to Sedona, Arizona, where they resided for the next 15 years. They returned to Omaha in 2010; Wayne died of complications from cancer in 2011.

Joy reconnected with DeKalb classmates in 2012, and in 2013 she married John B. Lovell. The two first lived in Omaha and then set up a DeKalb home in 2014.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, she was a pianist, artist, sculptor, designer, writer and illustrator. Her creative works reflected her imagination, child-like awe and the beauty she found in everything. She designed and built two homes. Joy thrived in the lively artist community of Sedona where she could indulge her talents with classes and experiment with a variety of media. She had a curious intellect, which she regularly stimulated with books, literature and poetry. These fed her contemplative nature and deepened Joy's spiritual side. The consistent benefactors of service through her life were 4-H and the women's organization P.E.O.

Although petite in stature, Joy also possessed a rugged side as she wrangled cattle, rode horseback and walked many lengths of fence managing the farm. She was a sharp shooter with a rifle. The farm girl in her appreciated all aspects of nature from sprouting seeds to golden acres, immense landscape vistas to intricate details of flowers. She was always caring for the farm animals and taking in others, and she would nurture dozens of creatures and critters throughout her life. After retirement, Joy enjoyed hiking and traveling Including trips to Europe, Egypt and Machu Picchu, as well as an African safari, which she recounted in a self-published book she also illustrated, titled "Footprints in Tanzania."

Joy is survived by her husband, John Lovell of DeKalb; and her four children with previous husband, John Pigott, Pamela Olderman (David) of St. Louis, Missouri, Jonathan Moeller of North Andover Massachusetts, Jennifer Rowe (Marcus) of Columbia, Missouri, and Elizabeth Bailis (Tom Treder) of Telluride, Colorado; as well as eight grandchildren, Patrick, David, Gracie, Olivia, Chloe, Max, Finn and Loren. In addition, she is survived by John Lovell's four sons, Russell Lovell (Marla) of Sycamore, Mark Lovell (Kelly) of Sycamore, Kevin Lovell (Melissa) of Sycamore, and John Lovell (Jennifer) of Aurora; ten grandchildren, Lindsay, Zachary, Stephanie, Michael, Mason, Madison, Allison, Bryson, Elijah and William; and five great-grandchildren, Colin, Ayzlynn, Wyatt, Adeline, and Jaxson.

She was preceded in death by former husbands, John Pigott and Wayne Moeller; her father, Edward Hancock; and mother, Mildred Hancock.

Joy demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience through the years, notably as a two-time widow and stroke survivor. An only child herself, she cherished family. They and friends will miss her dearly. She encouraged all to love one another, right to the very end of what she considered a blessed life.

The family asks that those wishing to make donations in her name please consider: Hope Haven (serving the homeless) 1145 Rushmoore Drive, DeKalb, IL 60115 and Safe Passage (serving domestic violence victims) P.O. Box 621, DeKalb, IL 60115.

Funerary arrangements will be handled by Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178, (815) 895-2833. A celebration of life will be held at Faranda's Banquet Center, 302 Grove Street, DeKalb, IL 60115 on Saturday, January 19th with a welcome and reception beginning at 2:00 p.m., and service at 3:00 p.m.

For information, or to sign the online guest book go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com or call 815-895-2833.