Saturday, September 12, 2020
Shortly after my husband Joe and I got married, we went to Jerome to visit my in-laws. It wouldn't be a normal trip unless we dropped by the gas station to say hi to Joy and Randy. We came in and Keeven was chatting away and I think Alan might have been there too. This would've been sometime around 1980.
Joy had just had cancer and a mastectomy. While folks were visiting she called Joe and I back to her room and told us about her surgery and how she wasn't afraid and was doing really well. Then she showed us her scar and said, "See, there is nothing to worry about." We were both so touched by this gesture that demonstrates the loving compassion she had for people. She wanted to share that she was still Joy. She wasn't any different, and that it was just a scar and nothing to be scared of. She obviously lived another 40 plus years after that and a full life to boot. After that I don't think we've ever really been too worried about breast cancer because of Joy and her willingness to put our minds at ease.
What a gift she was to the world. I loved her little upturned grin and easy laughter. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to celebrate her life today, but my prayers are with you all. God Bless. Lori Fascilla
