Joyce Colony

April 14, 1928 - January 20, 2025

Florence Joyce Galbraith arrived as her mother's 25th birthday present on April 14, 1928, and proceeded to take the world into her own hands. She was an accomplished classical pianist, performer, and piano teacher; a strong mother who raised four independent daughters; a supportive wife and creative homemaker; a cultivator of glorious gardens; a devoted church organist and choir director; and a friend to her neighbors and their dogs. After completing her masters in English from UVa while her children attended elementary to high school, she became a published newspaper essayist, short story writer, and poet. Joyce was also a world traveler ("strangers are just friends I haven't made yet"), a faithful correspondent, and sender of useful gifts. Grandmother to five, she was a wonderful storyteller with a sly sense of humor. Her family and friends around the world will greatly miss the love, guidance, and support of "She Who Must Be Obeyed."

Survivors include beloved sisters Elizabeth Galbraith DeCarolis and Carolyn Galbraith Nolan; brothers-in-law Laurence F. DeCarolis and Donald B. Nolan; daughters M Allison Colony; Anne Mandeville Colony and grandson Samuel David Colony; Laura Colony Camacho and grandsons Diego Antonio Camacho and Matias Liam Camacho; and Jane Colony Mills, son-in-law Ian Samuel Mills, and granddaughters Claire Louise Mills and Sarah Emily Mills; along with five nieces and nephews and their families. Joyce was predeceased by her husband William Mandeville Colony in 2000 and her parents, Bartram Allison Galbraith and Florence Davey Galbraith.

Service, burial, and reception will be Friday, February 7, beginning at 1:00 p.m., at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Ivy, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Joyce's memory to Hollins University's general Music Scholarship Fund, Hollins University, Box 9629, 7916 Williamson Rd., Roanoke, VA 24020; to the Nature Camp Foundation Scholarship Fund; and to Live Arts.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Progress on Jan. 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Colony

Sponsored by Hill & Wood Funeral Service - Charlottesville.

6 Entries

W. Corey Trench

May 14, 2025

I knew Mr. and Mrs. Colony dating back to the 1970s. Our family lived nearby them. Incredibly nice people. Mr. Colony was influential in helping me shape a career in the environmental field. I had occasion to visit them in their Arlington home. Mrs. Colony was a most gracious, kind and inquisitive host. Not long after that I was on my way to California and began my own family there. Over the years, I have thought about them both. Now, they are back together.

Colleen Baber

February 7, 2025

I am so incredibly sorry that I won't be able to attend Mrs. Colony's service tomorrow. All my years of babysitting for her wonderful daughters were extremely important to me. I will really miss seeing my girls, Allison, Anne, Laura, and Jane. Your mother was a truly amazing person. I had a meniscus root reattached on Monday, so I am non weight bearing on that leg and have not ventured out yet. Please give each other a hug from me.

Bob Wack

January 30, 2025

Some years back, I was an employee at our Lady of Peace caring, among others, for Bill Colony during his initial memory-care placement. I came to know Joyce reasonably well at that time, and greatly appreciated both her concern and dedication to Bill, and the resume of this very gifted women. My condolences to the family, who will undoubtedly miss this very special woman.

John Stagg and Holly Shulman

Sent Flowers

Lew Stephens Jr.

January 28, 2025

Joyce would always take me for a walk through her yard pointing out her favorite plants and garden. She always made me feel very welcome and special.

The Hartman Family

January 27, 2025

What an amazing woman who lived a full and vibrant life. She is an example to us all to to embrace the present and revel in life's majesty. We know her absence leaves a void that cannot be filled but her legacy is a treasure trove of memories, wisdom and love.
- with heartfelt sympathy,
The Hartman's

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