Obituary of Joyce Elaine Stewart

Joyce Stewart entered this world as Joyce Elaine McConnell in the home of her father and Mother Lloyd and Lurean McConnell in Lafeyette, Co June 8th, 1942 as the sixth of seven children.

Joyce's family moved to Loveland, CO when she was young. As a child Joyce enjoyed learning to cook and sew from her mother and how to tend a garden and her love for animals from her father. One of her favorite pets as a child was a pig named Tiny. Joyce grew up in Loveland attending some of the same schools as her children and grandchildren have and do attend now.

Joyce graduated from Loveland High School in 1960. 

After high school she worked at Colorado Crystals for a time assembling circuit boards. Joyce met her husband Ronald Stewart in 1968 in Kersey, CO while out with friends. Joyce and Ronald Stewart were married  August 3rd, 1969 At First Christian Church in Loveland. While Ron was in the U.S. Army Joyce traveled with him and lived stateside on base while he was overseas during two tours of Vietnam.  During this time Joyce gave birth to their first child a beautiful daughter Lurean Joyce while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The new little family was soon transferred to Fort Gordon, Georgia where they welcomed their 2nd beautiful daughter Sharon Elaine.  When Ron was honorably discharged from the service with a Purple heart after being severley injured in Vietnam.  The family soon decided it was time to come home to Colorado.  They were happy to be expecting their first son, unfortunately Lil Mac died shortly after he was born. As they struggled through the next few months they were delighted to find out they were again expecting a son and happily welcomed a healthy, adorable baby boy Lloyd George.

The family attended church where the two were married First Christian of Loveland. Joyce loved being a mom and wanted nothing more then to be with her children 24/7. Unfortunatley hard times fell on the family and Joyce decided to take a "TEMPORARY" job at a new store coming to the area now famously known as Target. She worked in 2 different departments but for most of her FORTY-ONE years of dedicated employment with Target she was a cashier. Joyce was well known as the sweetest, friendliest and best bargain finder on the front lanes. If there was a deal to be had.....Joyce knew how to find it! 

Ron and Joyce seperated for several years but never divorced.  Joyce with help from her mom and dad when she was at work raised her 3 children as a single mother. This was not the only TOUGH struggle Joyce faced. In 1997 Joyce was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer and was told she had a 50% chance of surviving the next 6 months. After more than a year long battle of surgery and chemo Joyce celebrated being in remission and after several more years she was considered CURED! and remained cancer free the remainder of her life.

Joyce loved to spend time with her family, sew, read, cook, watch HGTV and shop for bargains! 

Although Ron and Joyce seperated for several years they reconnected in the years before his passing and Ron had planned on giving Joyce a new wedding ring. They loved just taking long drives together and eating out or going bargain shopping together.  They found comfort once again in being there for each other. Joyce cared for Ron after his cancer diagnosis and stood by him til his passing into Glory in 2017. They were best friends again. 

Joyce was affectionately called Gamma by most of  grandchildren as well as Gma.

Joyce was a very loved, sweet and loving woman that never gave up no matter the struggle.

Joyce passed peacefully in her sleep from a heart attack and an unknown heart condition on October 17th, 2022 and awoke in her Saviours arms as she was a born again Christian since accepting Christ as her Saviour in February of 1996 shortly after her mother's death. Joyce attended Front Range Baptist Church with her daughter Sharon and family for several years. She loved hearing the choir sing especially the Christmas Contata's. Joyce knew she'd see all of her friends and family that also accepted Christ as Saviour again someday.

Joyce was proceeded in death by her husband Ronald their son Lil Mac and her parents Lloyd and Lurean McConnell as well as her sister Imogene, her dear sister in law Pat her nephew Wayne and her niece Mandi .

She is survived by her brothers; Harvey, Dwayne and Leroy McConnell 

Her sisters Betty Piester and Louise Roth. Three of her children Lurean Stewart, Sharon and her husband Steve Korsa and Lloyd Stewart.

Her grandchildren Shelby, Matthew, Ashley, Elaina and husband Stephen. Corry, Ezra, Makenzie, Marissa and Colton.

Her Great grandchildren Colt, Faith, Oakley , Calem and Emelia ❤️ and many more family and friends who will dearly miss her but cherish every memory and make sure her life story is remembered ❤️