J. Joy Thomas Obituary (2026)

(Josephine) Joy Thomas was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 19, 1926, and passed away on May 26, 2026, in her sleep and at peace after a short illness. She lived about a third of her life in Wisconsin, a third in southern California where she raised her children, and a third in Washington state where she enjoyed 8 years of retirement with her husband Walter William Thomas before his passing in 1996. Joy lived through the 1930s depression, WWII when she worked as a telephone operator in WI, and the loss of her beloved sister Shirley when Joy was a young 26-year-old woman. Despite those tragedies, she lived her life with joy. When you asked her how she was, she would reply, “Fat and sassy, mean and ugly, better than I ought to be, take your pick”. She enjoyed joking with everyone. Just hours before her passing, she mused with nurses in the hospital. Joy was an avid Christian and church member. She was fiercely devoted to family, generous, and loved children. She is survived by her 3 children: David (& Kay) Thomas, Brian Thomas, Carin Thomas-Bradley (& Steffen Bradley); 6 grandchildren: Kelly (& Dave) Ruiz, Erika (& Ed) Victoria, Joshua (& Shana) Thomas, Jamie (& Daniel) Johansson, Jessie (& Christiam) Bedrinana, and Jacob Bradley (& Stacia Lee); 14 great-grandchildren: Kristina (& Andre) Marshal, Alex Victoria (& Chad Collins), Jakee Victoria, Eddie (& Joely) Victoria, Matthew Ruiz, Elena Ruiz, Landon Ruiz, Hannah Thomas, Hayden Thomas, Jonah Johansson, Logan Johasson, Emmi Johansson, Leo Bedrinana and Sophie Bedrinana; and 3 great-great-grandchildren: Hunter, Sage and Brooks Marshal. In memory of Joy, in lieu of flowers, donate to your local food bank. She donated to Fish Food Bank in Ellensburg, WA. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a later date. Joy and her family would like to thank all the staff and residents at Hearthstone in Ellensburg, WA, where she lived for her last 5 years, for their laughter and kindness.