1954
2016
March 17, 1954 - November 7, 2016 L. Joyce Croker, a former Los Angeles Times staff member who enjoyed a long career as a graphic designer and art director, died Nov. 7 in Los Angeles after a nearly six-year-long battle with lung cancer. She was 62. During her illness, Croker created a blog, "Sprinting Towards 60," that detailed her treatments and personal reactions. The blog was widely read and inspired many cancer patients. One of her posts - "My Turn: Lung cancer's reality sharpens focus on her life's journey" - was published as a column in the Los Angeles Times in 2011. Croker's career included posts as an assistant art director at WLVI-TV in the Boston area, electronic art services manager at The Shalek Agency, assistant systems editor at the Los Angeles Times and creative director at UCLA Extension, from which she retired in 2014. She taught design, illustration and animation for 21 years at UCLA Extension. In addition, she owned Flying Fish Productions, a freelance design company. An avid photographer, Croker belonged to the National Association of Photoshop Professionals and the Association for Computing Machinery. Born March 17, 1954 in Pomona, California, Croker moved with her family to Los Altos Hills, California, where she graduated from high school. She received a degree from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and took postgraduate courses at the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2008 when California first legalized same-sex marriage, she married Joan Ellingham, her partner of 25 years. They were among the married couples featured on the cover of The Advocate, an LGBT magazine. Croker is survived by her wife Joan; her sister, Kathleen Croker; her aunts, Karen DeCoursey and Joyce Helper; and two nieces, as well as numerous friends. Viewing will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday at Forest Lawn Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale. Services will be held at noon, Saturday, at Cristo Rey Church, 4343 Perlita Ave., Los Angeles, followed by ennichment at Forest Lawn Glendale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cristo Rey Church.
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hi Kiddo, thought about you when fishing at the lake. remembered when fishing this one cove where you caught that big cutthroat trout using purple cheese bait. I never would have believed it had i not seen it. we always take purple bait with us now. Good luck fishin in the big ponds wwhere you fish now . you are missed, Knox
knox burrows
Friend
November 7, 2023
My dear Joyce,
I am still thinking about you and remembering the intelligent, creative, and fun student and then adult friend you were and became. In your honor, Joan and I still have good conversations about you. What a loyal and devoted pair you were. Sending so much love your way and especially thinking about you last July when I lost my very important niece Brenda in Denver of the same disease.
Bonnie
bonnie feuer
Friend
November 4, 2020
Carol Tennyson
November 16, 2016
Today as always , you and Joan are in my loving thoughts, Joyce. Your smile will forever be impressed upon my heart.
Bonnie
bonnie feuer
November 12, 2016
Thinking of you and Joan with love today. Bonnie
Bonnie Feuer
November 12, 2016
Words like "strong" and "brave" contend mightily with words like "fun" and "generous" to describe my friend and colleague of 20 years. You are missed and forever will be, but it was an honor and a privilege to share your orbit. I hope to do so again.
Rise up, be seen, walk with angels, buddy. And take a little Ireland with you. Ná lagadh Dia do lámh.
McKinley Marshall
November 12, 2016
It was a real joy and honor knowing you young lady. Will miss going fishing with you. Catch a big one where ever your next trip takes you and God bless you.
Knox Burrows
November 10, 2016
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