Joy Brewer Scott

Joy Brewer Scott

Joy Louise McAdams Brewer Scott peacefully entered eternal life on August 5, 2014, surrounded by family members. A devoted mother, daughter, and wife, Joy epitomized her name and was a blessing and delight to all who knew her.

A graduate of the University of Kansas and Harvard, Joy taught communications classes at the University of Washington and California State University, Chico, as well as English as a second language. A music aficionado, she announced classical works for radio stations in Chico and Hong Kong.

Born in Hays, Kansas, on January 18, 1934, Joy was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Brewer of Hays. She graduated from Hays High School and went on to earn a B.A. in English from the University of Kansas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi and in 1954 was crowned a homecoming queen runner up. In 1956, she earned an M.A. in Education from Harvard University.

After a Valentines Day engagement, Joy married her hometown sweetheart and fellow Harvard student Robert Haney Scott on August 12, 1956. Over the span of their nearly 60-year marriage Joy and Haney, a professor of economics and finance, raised four children and traveled the world, living in Ireland, Greece, Canada, Hong Kong, and Macau and visiting dozens of other countries.

Home since 1961 was Seattle, where Joy was active in arts, civic, and outdoors groups including the Mountaineers and the early REI Co-op. An avid reader, Joy volunteered for the Friends of the Library. She enjoyed playing the piano and was a member of the Russian Balalaika Orchestra in Seattle. In 1984, Joy spent a year teaching English in Shanghai, China. In 1985, Joy and Haney began dividing their time between Seattle and Chico, CA, where Joy studied tai chi and yoga. A dedicated and lively letter writer, she corresponded faithfully with friends and family around the world.

For some 50 years, Joy was a devout member of the Church of Christ, Scientist. She volunteered in reading rooms in Seattle and Chico.

Demure and courageous, witty and kind, Joy took great pleasure in helping others throughout her life.

Joy is survived by her husband, Haney, by her children, William, Ann, Sarah, and Elizabeth and by her grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers, William (Mac) Brewer of Tucson, Arizona, John Brewer of Lawrence, Kansas and Egon Sommer of Dickens, Nebraska.

A celebration of her life will be held Sept 27, 3pm, at Trinity United Methodist church, 285 E 5th St, in Chico. Donations in Joy's name can be made to the First Church of Christ, Scientist - Chico, CA, at 770 Palmetto Ave, Chico, CA 95926.