D. Joyce Galbraith

D. Joyce Galbraith, age 88, passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2014. Born in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Richard and Blanche Bartlett, she was the second of four children. At the age of fifteen Joyce and her family moved to Tacoma. She graduated from St. Leo High School in 1943 and from Seattle College (now Seattle University) in 1947. During her college years she met the love of her life, Charles J. Galbraith, and they were married on August 20, 1949. They spent the first ten years of their marriage in St. Louis, Missouri, where Charlie attended medical school and completed his surgery residency. Four of their five children were born in St. Louis, and while in St. Louis they made lifelong friendships with several other couples. They moved back to Tacoma in 1959 to raise their family, and were married for sixty-one years until Charlies death in 2010. Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was an integral part of her childrens lives and was especially involved in the lives of her grandchildren. There was nothing that pleased Joyce more than being in the company of her family, and she was always up for a big family gathering. Her grandchildren were simply the greatest in Joyces eyes; she looked forward to each and every visit from them, and she and Charlie could always be counted on to attend the sporting events, birthday parties, awards ceremonies, and graduations of their grandkids. Joyce was an accomplished bridge player and enjoyed the many friends she had made over the years while playing bridge. She was also an all-round good card player, and it was not uncommon to hear that she had won at the card table playing poker with friends. Joyce also loved to travel, and together she and Charlie enjoyed numerous trips abroad with good friends. One of the highlights of their travels was their numerous trips following their son Patrick as he played professional tennis around the world. Many who knew Joyce well described her as a real lady. She took great pride in always looking her best and she maintained that style and dignity to the end. Joyce was a devout Catholic and she and Charlie had very close ties to Saint Patrick Church in North Tacoma. They were married at St. Pats, and all five of their children and two of their grandchildren attended elementary school there. In North Tacoma they also made lifelong friendships with many couples who enjoyed having monthly supper club, taking annual vacations, and watching their children grow up together. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jack, her infant sister Joanne, and her husband Charles. She is survived by their children Tim, John (Aida), Jan Fick (Matt), Peg Redmon (Don), and Patrick (Tammy); ten grandchildren (Amy, Brien, Emily, Maggie, Charlie, Joe, Charlie, Julia, Ben, Annie), and two great-grandchildren (Ava and Owen); her sister Mary Jane Carrier; her five brothers-in-law and their families; and her cousins in the Ford family. The family wishes to thank the exceptional staff at Family First, especially Cindy Harper, for the wonderful care they provided the last two months, and Mima Erikson, who was a loving presence in Joyces life during her last year. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 10, at 11:00 am at Saint Patrick Church, 1001 North J St., Tacoma, Washington.