Joyce Elaine Edwards

On November 28, 2025, Joyce Elaine Edwards passed away, leaving behind a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Joyce’s greatest joy was her family, and she cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren – especially watching their games, tournaments, concerts, and recitals. She was a native Denverite with many lifelong friends including from Aurora High School, Lakewood, Bow Mar South, and Parkland. One of her most special places to spend time with friends and family was Vail, where the beautiful mountains and Vail Village held a special place in her heart.

Her zest for adventure beyond Colorado was extraordinary. Joyce spent her career and most of her free time traveling the world, first with United and Pan American airlines and then through her company International Cruise Concepts. She felt blessed to have visited over 35 countries with family, friends, and clients. Wherever she was in the world, she was the life of the party and her contagious laugh was infamous.

She married Mike Nelligan in 1960 and they had three children Steve (Melissa) Nelligan, Sherrill Nelligan, and Jeff Nelligan. Later in life she joyfully reconnected with her high-school sweetheart Dennis Haynes and they married in 2014. We are thankful that she passed peacefully to be reunited with Dennis and her parents. She is survived by her three children and eight grandchildren: Ben, Grant, Kate, Luke, Clare, Tyler, Connor, and Will. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Littleton on Tuesday December 16, 2025, at 4:30pm.

Memorial donations in Joyce’s name may be directed to Craig Hospital. Craig Hospital Foundation P.O. Box 17671 Denver, CO 80217