Joyce L. (Maple) King

Joyce Louise King, 89, of Port Henry, NY, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2018, surrounded by many of her loving family members, and finally reunited with her husband of 56 years, Arnold King.

She was born on November 11, 1928, in Watervliet, NY, the daughter of Ernest and Aileen (Hendrix) Maple. She was predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Florence and Walt Wojewodzic and Joan and Dean McLaughlin, her brother, Marty Maple, and grandson, Wally Edwards.

Joyce lived a long and full life. For her, everything was an adventure. She raised 7 children (at times, grandchildren as well), cared for her many nieces and nephews, as well as the kids in the neighborhood. She welcomed them in and fed them all. Many of them were like her own children. She’d gladly welcome anyone into her home who needed a place to stay.

Always busy, she was a den mother and a pack leader for the cub scouts, and president of the Mother’s Club, which helped the nuns in the catholic school. After the school closed, Joyce taught religion classes for many years.

It wasn’t until she was thirty-five that Joyce learned to drive. After that, she was always on the road traveling and never turned down her kids and grandkids a ride. Those of us old enough will remember her in her white convertible, with the top down and her long, black hair blowing in the breeze.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Port Henry. Her faith was strong, and she attended church every Sunday. When she became ill, she attended church by televised mass. 

Beyond raising a family, Joyce never stopped learning and exploring new hobbies. In 1963, she joined a bowling league in Mineville, and later in life participated in leagues in Ticonderoga, where she bowled until she was 86 years old. She knitted and crocheted, took piano lessons, taught herself to play the guitar, and took painting lessons from Ruth Rumney.

Her love of learning continued. She enrolled in North Country Community College in 1980. Her classes included photography where she learned to take and develop her own photos. Never without her camera, she captured pictures of her family, friends, nature, and anything that caught her eye. In 1985, she graduated with an Associate degree in Psychology from North Country.

Joyce was a talented musician and singer. Music filled her life. She received much joy from hearing her grandson, Joey, play the drums and guitar. Joyce sang in the choir and played the guitar and organ at St. Patrick’s church during masses, weddings, funerals, and other church events. She helped form the Champlain Valley Chorale.

She also played guitar in her Bluegrass band, along with her son, Rocky, who played the banjo. Requests from some of her grandchildren for Joyce and Rocky to play “Dueling Banjos” (in this case, guitar and banjo) were probably a few too many. She enjoyed performing and playing. She was a member of the Bluegrass Association and served as treasurer.

At 64 years old, a time in life when many are considering retirement, Joyce became a full-time cook at Moriah Central School, postponing her retirement until the age of 79. She did so because of her love of cooking for the students. Over her years as a cook at the school, many of her grandchildren visited her in the kitchen seeking out some of grandma love.

Even after retiring, her adventures continued as she traveled extensively with her daughter, Beverly. Many trips were made to her granddaughter, Jeannie’s home in New Jersey, to her daughter, Susan’s home in West Chazy, and to visit her son, Joe. For her birthday on 11/11/11, she took a trip to Atlantic City. At the age of 85, she flew in a plane for the first time to vacation in Aruba. Her response to flying for the first time was she’d wished she’d done it sooner.

Joyce loved life. She loved her family and friends. If we live half the life she did, we would be lucky. Her caring and willingness to help touched many people over her 89 years. Her never ending optimism, her ability to brave any of life challenges, her bright smile and her unforgettable laugh will live forever in our memories. If we learned anything from this beautiful woman, it’s that life is for living, no matter how old you are.

Joyce is survived by a large, loving family of 7 children, 18 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Beverly Mattison of Ticonderoga

Jake Camron - Alexandra (Brantley, Brinley), Gary James, Kennice

Jeannie - Eric, Chloe, Patrick, Caragh

Wally I - Wally II (Wally III)

Rocky (Arnold Jr.) and Hope King of Mineville

Ralph King of Port Henry

Michelle King - Kayla (dau.- Alexander), Bradley, Johnny, Katrina, Sara and Sean

Ralph - Daygon, Peyton, Brady, Sami Jo, Ronnie, Cameron, Alexandra

Tricia - Morgan, Paige, Anthony

Thomas - Xavier, Maddox, Zayden, Baby due Nov. 11

Michael - Gannon

Jessica - Jameson (due August 2018)

Theresa and Frank Horton of Port Henry

Frankie - Garrett, Krista, Blake, Ella, Kayla

Jeremy - Ashton, Keurstyn, Kayaira

Shannon - Felicity, Tommy, Wyatt

Susan and Terry McCloskey of West Chazy

Angie - Alexander

Debra King and George Smith of Port Henry

Heather - Tracy, Blake

Danielle - Madison, Baylie, Finn

Max

Joseph and Amy King of Port Henry

Meghan

Joey

A funeral mass with Liturgy of the Word was held at 11am at St. Patrick’s Church in Port Henry on May 4, 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.