Joy Washburn

Joy R Washburn was born on May 30, 1938 at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, Washington to Earl and Cora Slocum. Joy passed away on October 6, 2025 at her home in East Wenatchee, Washington at the age of 87. Joy is survived by her daughter Jan & husband Jack Snyder, her sister Kathy Ramm, and her many Nieces, Nephews, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and one Great Great Grandchild. Joy was preceded in death by her Husband Orville, Son Randy, Daughter Tree, Brother Vern Slocum and her Parents. Joy also wanted to give a special thank you to Lisa whom she still considered her daughter in law, Devon her grandson and handyman who was so very special for all he did and helped her with any technical stuff to keep Joy’s TV and phone working and to bringing her Costco water this also gave time for Joy to visit with Devon and catch up with all he has going on in his family. Joy was living in Wenatchee with her parents when she had Tree, her first child, while Orville was in the army in Korea. Joy’s doctors were in Soap Lake and her mother and father had to drive her to Soap Lake for Tree’s birth which was a big event as in 1953 the cars they drove in those days weren’t that reliable or very fast and Joy was a young mother at age 15 which must have been very traumatic for her. Orville was discharged from the army 5 months after Tree was born and their family life started first in Moses Lake, where Orville went to work at Larson Air Force Base driving heavy equipment and plowing the snow off the airport runway. Joy along with taking care of Tree with the help of her parents also worked in the fields doing whatever type of work was available to help with the family’s budget while they lived in Moses Lake. Joy and Orville moved to Buckley, Washington in 1965 for one year when Larson Air Force Based closed. They then returned to Wenatchee where Orville was able to get a job working for Alcoa in Wenatchee. Joy worked while living in the Wenatchee area from being a checkout lady at Top Foods, working for Tree Top, to driving smaller buses for Community Action delivering special needs children to school then back home. Joy’s greatest love in life was her children, their spouses and all her grandchildren. Their visits meant the world to her. Joy had many friends over the 24 years she lived at her apartment. The last 9 years every morning she would be at her sliding glass door to say good morning and to have a great day to her special friend Aaron and if she did not see Aaron, she was on the phone texting to make sure he and his family were all ok. Aaron’s family looked after Joy and made sure her garbage was always taken out when needed or if there was anything they could help Joy with. The family wants to thank Aaron and his family and Hospice for all they have done as the process for Joy to pass on was made much easier and painless for Joy. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, 12:00 PM at the Wenatchee Cemetery Mausoleum, 1804 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee. Friends who wish may make memorial donations in her name to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Joy Washburn

May 30, 1938 - October 6, 2025