Joyce Alice Dalton

Joyce Alice Dalton Former Resident of Danville Joyce Alice Dalton, 58, of La Quinta, CA, beloved wife of Robert Dalton passed away at John F. Kennedy Medical Center on Wednesday, October 31, 2007. Joyce was born in Sacramento, CA on April 27, 1949 to loving parents, Kurt and Alice Swanfeldt, now deceased. Joyce attended Sacramento High School and Sacramento State College. She moved to San Jose, CA where she was employed by Industrial Indemnity. In the early 1970s she moved to San Francisco, CA and became the first woman to rise to the position of manager of the Workers Compensation claims department for Fred S. James & Company, an international insurance brokerage firm. In the late 1980s she established a retail gift, accessories and home furnishing store, known as the Wild Swan, in Danville, CA. She was a former golfing member of several Country Clubs, including Ironwood, Palm Desert, CA, Round Hill, Alamo, CA, Blackhawk, Danville, CA and most recently Rancho La Quinta, La Quinta, CA. Joyce is survived by her husband of 33 years, Robert Dalton; her son, Wesley Dalton and his wife, Kristen of Orinda, CA; and her sister, Monica Dickson of Kaysville, UT. She is preceded in death by her sister, Lorrane Guttridge of Elk Grove, CA; brother-in-law retired Colonel Donald M. Dalton of Santa Rosa, CA; cousins, Jack and Irene Meehan of La Quinta, CA; step-children, Debra Harder and her husband, David of Medford, OR, Rebecca Vaccarezza of Portland, OR, Samantha Dalton of Medford, OR, Robert B. Dalton of Dublin, CA; 8 grandchildren and numerous other related family members domiciled in Sweden and Utah. To her friends, Joyce was both a leader and compassionate listener. Her wisdom, counsel and love will be greatly missed. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 with a viewing from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 47225 Washington Ave., La Quinta, CA 92253. A reception will follow the Memorial Service at the residence of Robert Dalton, 48690 Vista Estrella, La Quinta, CA 92253. For more information please contact Joe Mulherin, FitzHenry Funeral Homes, 760-347-3531.