Joyce Bixler Bottum

Joyce Bixler Bottum lived her life with panache and joy, with a gift for leaving everyone she encountered just a little bit lighter and brighter. Newly 86 years old, she died peacefully on April 11, 2022 surrounded by her close-knit kin.

Born and bred a Hoosier in West Lafayette, Indiana, Joyce entered nursery school at a time when her early fashion choice of mismatched socks was tolerated. She attended West Lafayette High School, where she met her best friend and the love of her life, Edward Bottum. Graduating as a top student with a degree in English from Purdue University in 1957, Joyce relished books, puns, and good grammar.

She married Ed just weeks after her college graduation and his service in the Navy, and they lived in Boston while Ed completed his MBA. They returned to the Midwest in 1959, first to Evanston, then Northbrook, and finally Winnetka, where they would remain deeply rooted for the rest of their lives. Raising four children was their greatest joy. Among their most treasured memories was when Ed's career with Continental Bank brought the family to Belgium. As Joyce recalled, three years abroad was not long enough. She had a deep love of travel and for experiencing all the food and culture it has to offer, and lived to share those experiences with her family and friends.

Known to all as Bix, she described herself as an only child surrounded by great family and friends. She was grateful for her parents Tete and Pardy, from whom she acquired the hallmark blend of eloquence, style, and humor that shaped the world she invited you to share. Her signature "hoo hoo" was the bird-song hello that heralded her arrival. But she was hard to miss anyway – donning colorful hats, socks and scarves, just one of the many ways she had fun each day.

While Bix most certainly had an air of whimsy about her, she was also very serious about the importance of getting an education. She was a lifelong learner herself and encouraged her family to pursue their own educational journeys. Throughout her life, she was energized by, and participated in, discourse around global events and ideas, always with the intent to learn, grow, and share. She also cherished books, films, flowers and mahjong as enduring sources of inspiration and enjoyment. She found kindred spirits while serving the community in unsung, low-profile volunteer jobs at local schools and public libraries, her church, garden club, and the information desk at the Art Institute.

Joyce loved food and her culinary creativity was legendary. It also reflected the way she lived her life: inviting others, often with a silly instrument or an actual dinner bell, to sit and share a meal. And like every other part of her life, she insisted on making even the most mundane of meals and days special – with a signature garnish.

She is survived by three of her four children; Roger Bottum (Larra Call Waldmann), John Bottum (Jon Karakowski), and Samuel Bottum (Melanie Domer). Her daughter, Carroll Bottum, passed away in 2021. Ed Bottum died unexpectedly in 2002. She leaves six grandchildren: Hannah and Samuel Bottum; John "Jack" (Stefani Alzaga) and Kendall Ritter; and Henry and Joseph Bottum; as well as a gaggle of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30pm on Friday, June 24th at the Kenilworth Union Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to WFMT (wfmt.com or 773-509-5432) or Feeding America (feedingamerica.org or 800-771-2303).