Joyce Mae Grinstead Simko Walden

life story

Loving Mother, Sister, Teacher, Adventurer and Friend...

Loving Mother, Sister, Teacher, Adventurer and Friend...

Loving Mother, Sister, and Friend...

Joyce Mae Walden of Adelanto, California passed away at 2:21 P.M. on Monday, January 21, 2019 at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, California. She was 92 years old. She was deeply spiritual and had a sincere relationship with her God. Joyce was born October 3, 1926 in Owosso, Michigan a daughter of William and Mary Grinstead. She graduated from Eastern Illinois State College in June of 1949 and soon traveled west where she dedicated over 30 years of her life to teaching intercity elementary school children in the Los Angeles School District. Most of her teaching career was at Broadacres Avenue Elementary School in Carson, California. She especially liked teaching science and nature in innovative and interesting ways. Joyce was an avid photographer and spent much of her retirement exploring the outdoors from coast to coast and border to border in her motorhome. One of her hobbies was flying, and she studied and got her pilot's license and did her first solo in 1983 in Hawthorne, California. She was also a dancer, preferring to perform modern dance. She is survived by a daughter and two sons, Nancy Simko of Adelanto, California, Doug Simko of Helendale, California, and Brian (Amy) Simko of Costa Mesa, California; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Tiffany Bitting (Tom Henry), Michael Simko, Cory Maas, Sommer Maas, Christopher Maas, Hayley Simko, and Jake Simko; two great-grandchildren, Mason Henry , and Bradley Maas: one sister, Virginia (John) Davenport, three brothers, Bill (Gwen) Grinstead, Robert Grinstead, and David Grinstead; many nieces, nephews, other extended family, and friends. Special appreciation goes to Cheryl Matthews who helped daughter Nancy take care of Joyce in her last years. In addition to her beloved parents, she was preceded in death by her ex-husband and father of her three children, George Simko; two sisters, Wilma Deister, Betty Raines; and one brother John Grinstead; three brother-in-laws, Frances Cary, Bob Raines, and George Simko; and one sister-in-law, Lynda Richards (John Grinstead). In celebration of Joyce's life a public celebration is planned for Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 11 A.M. at Silver Lakes Community Church at 14766 Smithson Road in Helendale, California. An after-service gathering will be close by after the service at 27388 Lakeview Drive at Silver Lakes in Helendale, California 92342.