Joye Swinderman

Sweet Joye, In a few days, it will be a year since I last saw you, spoke to you, and held your hand. I miss you as much as ever and even more. Almost every day I find a poem you wrote, a photo, a drawing, a cook book, and so many other items that draw my memory back to days gone by. I find many notes to your children, birthday cards, and brochures of places you wanted to take them. You will always be in my heart. You brought joy to all who really knew and cared about you. Love you...

Oh, my little Joye... The days are not getting any easier. Meeting so many people who knew you from different walks of life, telling me how positive you were and how you directly had an impact in their lives is an inspiration to me and brings me a moment of peace and happiness. You fought until the end. I miss you so much, my little Joyble. I hope you are looking down on us, and my only consolation is picturing you healthy, happy and smiling. My beautiful Joye, you are in my heart for all...

Sweet Joye, I love you and shall miss you forever, and a day. Mom. Every morning, Joye would wake early to hear the birds twitter and call. She loved watching the river birds and making friends with crows. Her favorite crow, whom she named Pick pocket, actually recognized her. Sometimes she would go alone to meditate as she watched the sun come up.

So young and funny and full of life.

Joye was always sweet and kind. She had a contagious laugh that I'll always remember. She was a proud parent and loved her kids. It's a loss for all of us that she's gone.

Gail, I am so sorry for your loss Elizabeth