Barbara Joyce Cook

February 27, 1933 ~ February 15, 2021

Joyce passed away peacefully on February 15, 2021. She entered this world on February 27, 1933 to John Robert and Leota Grace Hewitt in Los Angeles, CA. She was the oldest of two children.

She spent her childhood in California where she loved playing hopscotch. She attended school in Burbank. She participated in Rifle Club, where she excelled to be a skilled marksman. She played the violin in the California Junior Symphony.

When she lost her father at the age of 12 she picked up ironing to help the family out. She worked as a florist at the age of 16.

She enjoyed going back to Iowa to the farm of her grandparents and uncle during the summer. 

After high school she attended Chouinard Art Institute where she excelled as an artist. She went to work at Walt Disney doing inkings for movies that include the three fries and parts of the witch in Sleeping Beauty, also some of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. She did some work for Hanna Barberra also.

She became a dress designer for the clothing line for JC Penney’s “The Talk of Hollywood.” She was the model and did the layout for the pamphlets for a medical company for their traction device that was sold worldwide.

Joyce and her kids moved to Monticello in the early 70s. She worked at the San Juan Record doing their layouts and the laundromat.

This is where she met Wayne Sherman Cook. They were married in 1973 and celebrated 44 years of blissful marriage. They were blessed with a son.

Together they worked the farm outside of Monticello before moving to Cahone, CO where they made their forever home. 

Joyce owned and operated a flower shop out of her home, “Joyce’s Flowers,” where her artistry, patience, and eye for color made her the best florist in the valley.

She was the head cook at the Cahone Rec Hall for many years. She also worked at the US Post Office in Cahone.

Joyce enjoyed art, flowers, camping, fishing, and spending time with family. She played a mean game of Canasta.

Joyce is survived by her children Jill Martinez, Jody Gardner, Eric Bergman, Tim (Lara) Cook, 10 grandkids, 21 great-grandkids, 12 great-great-grandkids, and sister-in-law Nancy and her family.

Preceded in death by her husband Wayne, infant son Scott, son-in-law John Gardner, both her parents, and her brother John Hewitt. 

Joyce will be missed by many and leaves a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.

Due to the COVID-19 virus the family will be holding a memorial service later in the year.

Card of thanks
The family would like to thank Valley Inn nursing home for the great care of our mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma and Great-Great-Grandma.