A loving wife, caring mother, remarkable grandma, soon to be great-grandma and cherished friend passed away unexpectedly on March 16, 2019. Joined in Heaven with her husband Carl Lyons, her life long love. Joyce had the biggest heart and trendy style. She was a strong, dynamic and compassionate woman who impacted the lives of many. Born August 26, 1933, Joyce grew up in Spokane, Washington with her parents Ward and Margaret Bronson and three sisters, Doris, Kay and Gail.
A pioneer in healthcare, she attended Washington State University, as a student in one of the first BSN programs in the US. She was active in the Pi Beta Phi Sorority at WSU and throughout her life. While at WSU she was introduced to her future husband, Carl, at a Valentine's Day dance. The couple quickly fell in love, married and moved to Oklahoma where Carl attended Pharmacy School at OU and Joyce practiced as a Registered Nurse. Throughout her career, Joyce served the Tulsa community working as an RN. In 1960, alongside Carl, she helped to open Saint Francis Hospital as the operating room supervisor. In 1968 the family acquired Skyline Terrace Nursing Center. Both of their daughters followed their mother's footsteps in nursing, and helped to successfully operate Skyline for 30 years with their parents. In 1980, Joyce joined the Tulsa Junior College (TCC) faculty as an adjunct instructor. Beginning in 1985 Joyce transitioned into a halftime nursing position, until retiring in 2000. Outside of work, Joyce loved volunteering with organizations such as the Tulsa Philharmonic, the Assistance League, and many others. Joyce's fashion sense was created by her print and runway modeling career. She enjoyed spending time with her friends, family and three grandchildren in particular. Joyce and Carl were charter members of Asbury United Methodist Church. A unique and special woman, Joyce will be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ward and Margaret Bronson and her loving husband, Carl.
She is survived by daughters, Cindy Lyons and Linda Lyons Coyle, their husbands, David Gulliver and Patrick Coyle, grandchildren, Megan Coyle Parenteau and husband Garret, Kelsey Gulliver and Dalton Coyle, soon to be great grandbaby, sisters, Doris Brusewitz, Kay Hopper and Gail Bronson Boyd, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to "The Lyons Family Nursing Endowed Scholarship" at Tulsa Community College Foundation, 6111 E. Skelly Dr. Tulsa, OK 74135, or "The Lyons Family Nursing Scholarship" OU-Tulsa at The University of Oklahoma Foundation, 100 Timberdell Rd. Norman, OK 73072.
A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6767 S. Mingo Rd, Tulsa, OK.
Legacy Touch Code: D24E7NFK
