What a lovely tribute to dear Joyce! Thank you for sharing these precious photos and memories. I cherish  the  memories of Joyce welcoming Dana to Johnny Crow's Garden when we first moved to Santa Cruz  and then teaching with her for a few years. Both Dana and I are grateful for the lifelong friendships that began there.

My mom, Kay Benedict, and Joyce were dear friends for many years, first meeting in the mid 1960's. They had a passion for preschool education and worked together on Headstart Program initiatives in Santa Cruz County. Joyce and Henry were longtime Dinner Group members and I'll never forget some of their Halloween costumes!

Joyce was truly a remarkable woman we were blessed to have in the world for nearly 100 years. My older sister Debbie Calhoun passed away suddenly a year and a half ago. Here 4 girls all attended Johnny Crows Garden and have so many fond memories.  My own 2 boys Eli & George Owen attended Joyce’s preschool as well a decade ago and we feel so blessed they had such a magical experience there!  My mother Sue lives around the corner on Hillcrest Terrace and often walks by with her dog Sam.  She and Joyce had a lovely conversation several weeks ago.  Joyce’s legacy is so vast and deep, and her roots will ripple on forever in all of the many lives she touched.  Please feel free to share this on her memorial page and I’ll also send you a couple of pictures.  

In deepest sympathy,
Kim Fitchen-Young

Dear Henry,

My thoughts are with you.  Joyce was an incredible woman -  one in 1 billion.

Mary and Scott

Joyce was one of the first people I met when I moved to SC in 1963, through AAVW - where the dinner groups started.  She remained a good friend throughout the years.  She will be greatly missed.  My sympathy and best wishes to all of you. I share your grief.

- Nancy

Dear Henry,

Oh how we all are going to miss our Joyce.  A woman of forbearance and infinite patience, having worked with so many children over the years. And then there is you, Henry!  

I’ll cherish that last neighborhood gathering in October when Joyce so beautifully presented and recommended the book Caste.  Never one to let her intellect  wain, she was always looking to stay active mentally and physically.

We will all miss Joyce terribly, but none so much as you.  We hope you find comfort in the fond memories you have in your many decades of life together.  May the memory be a blessing.  

Much love, Susan and Steve

Joyce was a verry, very special person and I am sorry she in no longer with us.  Form working with her on Spectra in 1978 to becoming her next-door neighbor in 1988 to honoring her as Ariana’s preschool teach in 1989 to firing her clay projects to sharing news through the fence – so many years of living in harmony.

Beverly

Dear Uncle Henry,

Life is fair! – but sometimes so very, very hard.  I will miss my Aunt Joyce with all of my hearts.  I’ll miss her laugh, her thoughts, her goodness and her spirit.  When I think of her, I also think of you and the special connection the two of you had.  I believe you will be with her again. Until you do, though, cry as much and as hard as you want.  I’m right there with you.

With much love, Kathy

Elizabeth and I were very saddened to hear of the death of dear Joyce.  We send you our condolences.

In addition to our nice lunches in celebration of our respective weddings, we will always remember Joyce educating our children at her preschool.  

Ian

Our son Calvin attended Johnny Crow's Garden in the early 2000's.  We were all delighted by the many ways Joyce and crew guided and nurtured the youngsters.  Her wise pearls of wisdom are things we still reflect on from time to time.  We are grateful to have had the opportunity to have Joyce in our lives for a quick 2 years.
  
Thank you Joyce.

From our family to you and yours, we are so very sorry for your loss.  We loved Joyce dearly, and she will be greatly missed.

I am glad that I had a nice conversation with her on her birthday.  I know she was at peace with the idea that she might not be long for this world, but of course, that doesn’t make it any easier on any of us left behind.  I hope she was peaceful, as I imagine she was.

She was such a kind and generous person; I am so happy to have had her in my life, for so much of it.

I am happy to know that Joyce left knowing that Joe Biden was elected…even though it’s not December 14, yet.

- Andrea and family

Dear Henry, Bethany, and Alysson,

For many many years Joyce was one of our specially treasured friends.
We will miss her smile, her humor, her generosity and her love for life.
She was loyal to her friends and to all her birds, bunnies, cats and dogs!
You will have many memories and we hope they bring comfort to you at this time of feeling loss.

Love to you all, Anne, Ben

We’re saddened to hear of Joyce’s passing. She was such a lovely neighbor, always ready with a smile. It was a pleasure to share our love for the Artifact puzzles (and would you believe she was working on the very last one in our library). We will miss her.

Our thoughts are with you,
Jonathan and Jellie

Dear Bethany, Alysson, and Henry,

Tuesday night at our zoom Highland Book Club I proposed a toast, mine was ginger tea, in honor of Joyce.

I am inspired by knowing her. I have seen and continue to see the influence she has had on children that have had the opportunity to spend their early years under her eyes and inspiration. I do remember her strong soulful singing voice!

Noelle, Justine, and Tracy Frazier still have a Johnny Crow Garden friendship. They are now a pediatrician, lawyer, and cancer research.

Peace to you and your family,
Anna

Dear Uncle Henry,

I was so sorry to hear about Aunt Joyce. I have many fond memories visiting you, Aunt Joyce and family in Santa Cruz. Growing up she was such a fun aunt to have. Please know I am thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.

Love, Susan and John

I am shocked and saddened by the news of Joyce passing. I am so sorry. I am sad. I can’t express how much she meant to me. Her company and her friendship brought me so much joy and laughter. We’ll miss her smile and voice over the dinner table. I feel so lucky to have had her in my life.

Love, Chitose

Dear Henry,
We are so sad to hear that Joyce has passed. Our hearts ache.
We loved Joyce so much!
She was like another mother to me. I will miss lamenting the state of politics with her and trying to make sense of this crazy world. That always felt ood! So many fond memories of meals, conversations and hugs that Chitose and I will cherish forever.

We love you Henry,
Always, Rob

Joyce,

Had I known you were going I would have given you good speed
But you slipped away so quickly, quietly,
And now you’re one with the pelicans that you love, sailing freely above us.
When I look up I will see you smiling in the clouds and I will remember and treasure all the good times together.

Love remains,
Anne

Joyce was a remarkable woman and I’m so grateful to have crossed her path. I will miss our wide ranging talks through the fence and I will treasure the memory of her at our last neighbor gathering. She was so excited and enlivened by the book she was reading and couldn’t wait to share it with us. She lived her best all the way to a peaceful end.
My sincere condolences, Terry Wardwell

I approached Joyce one morning on West Cliff. She had that interesting quality about her.She was taking in the Magical View that we all enjoy on the cliff. I didn’t want to approach her privacy but I couldn’t help it. So I g

Joyce was one of the most quietly extraordinary people I've ever known.  Deeply loved by my two daughters, Molly and Serena (JCG students), and myself.  I loved Joyce's values, her smile and sense of humor, her creativity, her generosity, her love of animals and nature, and her way of being with humans of all ages.  I feel her loss deeply and I know Joyce lives on in thousands of hearts.

Joyce, was my and my sister's preschool teacher.  It was a magical place that instilled the Santa Cruz values of love, appreciation for nature and fun.  She was a wonderful person who shaped this community in a million little special ways.  My condolences to her family, friends and students.  

Alysson, Bethany and Henry, I am sorry the read about the passing if your mom. Mrs. Baker was such a special woman and I still have such fond memories of growing up in that also included spending time playing at your house. The beauty and true spirit of your mom shines bright in her photo. Sending you all love and peace during this difficult time.

Dear Henry Allyson and Bethany so sorry for your loss Joyce was an amazing person and a friend to my family for many years. 50 at least.

Dear Henry, Allyson, Bethany and family,

Michelle and I send our love and prayers to all during this sad time. Joyce was an amazing spirit, her radiance for life and laughter continue to warm are hearts. I will never forget the amazing dinner that both you(Henry) and Joyce created after the loss of John back in 93'.

Joyce was such a special person and I will always cherish the precious four years my kids spent at Johnny Crow's Garden. So many memories and so many friends! She truly inspired good in people and I know my children will forever benefit from her love and care. In sympathy, Shari

This was more than 10 years ago. When Joyce's previous cat was getting near the end of its life, Joyce said to us "Cat is teaching me how to die."

In  Joyce's  Johnny Crow's Garden, my children Tanya, Sander and Saskia and my grandchildren Sanneke, Kora and Finn had a unique magical time to bloom and socialize.
We loved to catch up running into each other on West cliff.
We will all miss Joyce

It truly felt magical to walk through the gate to Johnny Crow's, down the path through Joyce's flowering front garden and into her warm, welcoming preschool.  Her preschool embodied the values of nurturing creativity, kindness and valuing nature.  Joyce would sit and read to my sensitive daughter when she cried at drop off for the first couple of weeks.  We loved Joyce!!

I only recently learned the sad news that Joyce had passed away in November. My two daughters thrived at Johnny Crow’s and our whole family loved her. Her kindness, patience, wisdom and calm demeanor were enduring gifts for the children and their parents. I am grateful about seeing her only two months earlier at the physical therapist where I was able to tell her how much we missed JCG.