Joyce Meadows
May 21, 1926 - January 24, 2018
Joyce Meadows (née Jacobs), a long-time resident of Medford, recent resident of Bend, and native of Lakeview, passed away peacefully January 24, 2018, in the company of her loving grandson, Mike Stanley ,a few months short of her 92nd birthday. She was born May 21, 1926, to Amelia and Fredrick Jacobs, and lived a life short on complaints and long in happiness. Joyce was one of three daughters, born to a family of pioneers who were among the original settlers of Hart Mountain. The pioneer spirit animated Joyce throughout a life of travel, hard work, challenges and adventure.
After 40 years together, Joyce’s husband, Jerry, passed away in 1987. Their beloved youngest daughter, Tricia, passed away in 2008. Joyce is survived by two loving daughters, Karen Loerke (Larry) and Ann Chase (Daniel); 8 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
After her father’s death, her mother remarried, and the family moved to California. During WWII, while attending high school in Los Angeles, California, Joyce worked in an aircraft fuel tank construction factory. After graduating high school, she moved to Medford and worked as a driver in the motor pool at Camp White. Joyce met Jerry at a dance, and they were married in 1948.
Beginning in the early 1950s, Joyce worked for Pinnacle Orchards. The greater part of her career was with Harry & David, where she spent 36 years as a key member of the payroll and accounting department, retiring in 2006.
Joyce and her family enjoyed camping and traveling, taking many trips together to the Oregon coast and mountains, and far beyond, from Ireland to the Mississippi Delta. Along with travel, she loved bowling, crochet, reading and sports. She was a religious, enthusiastic Oregon Ducks fan.
Family was central to Joyce’s life. She loved spending time and sharing stories with family and friends. In addition to her sisters, Dorothy Connors and Joan Pineo, she had two step-brothers, Dutch and Richard Miller. She was a fearless mother, and an energetic, fun grandmother. Joyce lived a good life, loved us all, and we are thankful for all she gave us. We will really miss her.
Contributions may be made to Partners in Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, OR 97701, or C.A.T.S. (Committed Alliance To Strays), 104 North Ross Lane, Medford, OR 97501. Please visit the online registry for the family at www.niswonger-reynolds.com.