Joyce Ann (Voeten) Goodrow, was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, on November 6, 1927, to Walter Voeten and Dorothy Johnston. She gained her wings to heaven on April 18, 2025. As a young lady growing up, Joyce had the nickname, ‘River Rat’ and as an elderly woman ‘sexy legs.’
She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas (Doug) Goodrow; son, Steven Goodrow; and daughter, Sandy (Goodrow) Martin and her husband, Richard (Dick) Martin; as well as both of her parents.
As a young child, she worked at an ice cream shop where each day after work she would pay for her and her mother a cup of ice cream, and then bring it home where they would sit and share them and talk like mother and daughter.
Joyce and Doug met in Michigan prior to his joining the military, and then married in Michigan upon his release from the military in 1948.
Joyce, prior to marrying Doug, worked as a phone operator at Michigan Bell following the steps of her mother.
She took time off as an operator after marrying the love of her life to have their three children, Sally, Steven, and Sandy.
She returned to the workforce with Michigan Bell, after raising her three beautiful children, which then became AT&T, where she continued to work for an additional twenty plus years until retirement.
Joyce and Doug left Michigan after fifty-three years, and moved to Arizona where she remained for forty-three years until she moved to Texas for her next adventure with one of her granddaughters; where she ultimately ended her journey of life.
During her younger years, she loved going to the casinos with her husband. She enjoyed going to Canada with her children, when the border was open across the bridge. She enjoyed traveling with her sisters-in- law, Darlene and Gloria to Florida, and to the Mosses Lodge with her husband. She watched her two favorite soap operas for over four decades: All My Children and General Hospital. And most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Joyce is survived by her loving daughter, Sally Reed and husband, Ron Reed of Gilbersville, Kentucky; granddaughter, Andrea (Martin) Jones and husband, Ty Jones of Brock, Texas, and great grandson, Richard (RJ) Howell; grandson, Jason Reed and wife, Jessica (Beach) Reed of Paducah, Kentucky, and great grandchildren, Beckett, Jude, and Max Reed; granddaughter, Lisa Reed and fiancé, Gary Redfern of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, great grandchildren, Josh Adams, and Madison Anderson and husband, Brock Anderson; grandson, Jeff Martin and wife, Christy (Collins) Martin of Peoria, Arizona, and great grandchildren, JJ, Kenna, and Kylee.
Joyce’s humor throughout her life never ended! The last several months of her life her two favorite quotes were: “Up the nose with the rubber hose,” aka her oxygen and “Operation stay out of the hospital” although she did falter on that one a few times. She would also say “Operation stay out of jail” when she forgot that it was actually the hospital. There is no other person that anyone would love to be in jail with than this amazing woman.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., in the Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel. All are welcome to celebrate the life of this truly amazing person.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Three Oaks Hospice of Weatherford, Texas, who assisted in care for Joyce the last two months of her amazing ninety-seven years.
If you would like to send flowers please contact Special Impressions in Weatherford, Texas at 817-776-8709.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Ann Goodrow, please visit our flower store.Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services
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