Joyce Faye Young

Joyce Faye Young died peacefully at her home in West Seattle on October 16, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born on July 23, 1942, in Fremont, MO, the youngest of 4 daughters of Clyde and Wilba Jones. Joyce and her family moved to western Washington in 1946 and lived there for the duration of Joyce’s childhood. Among other adventures, Joyce worked in the strawberry fields of Whatcom County as a young girl, and her father worked on the construction of Ross Dam on the Skagit River. She graduated from Ferndale High School in 1960.

After graduation, Joyce moved to Seattle to start her new life. In 1962, she met a young Navy sailor named Craig Young (in a record store!). The following year, Joyce joined Craig in Japan, where they were married. After the end of his active service in the Navy, Craig and Joyce returned to Seattle. For the rest of their lives, they called West Seattle home, where they raised their three children and were active members of the community.

Joyce was a true artist, which showed in her love of music, her beautiful home, the paintings and drawings she created, and her delicious creations in the kitchen! Most of all, she was an avid gardener, to the extent that her yard appeared in Better Homes and Gardens in 2002. She and Craig traveled extensively, and her trips to Europe gave her inspiration for her garden and her art.

After her children grew up, Joyce worked at a variety of jobs. Longtime West Seattle natives likely encountered her smiling face at JF Henry, at a clothing store she co-owned called Findings, and later in the garden store at South Seattle Community College.

She and Craig were regulars at the Sunday Farmers’ Market, and at restaurants and coffee shops throughout West Seattle. They were longtime members of the West Seattle Yacht Club. Throughout her life, she and a close group of Ferndale high school friends got together for gatherings throughout the Pacific Northwest. “Grammi” loved to dote on her family, especially her grandchildren, and will all miss her.

Joyce is survived by her children Carmen Young of Kent, WA, Tyrone Young (Terri) of Sitka, AK, and Cristen Rankin (Scott) of Seattle; her grandchildren Samantha, Huey, Angel, Hilary and Miranda; great-grandsons William and Haas; her sisters Janine and Radine; and many extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Craig and her sister Clydine.

A note of gratitude to Laurie and the entire team at Florence of Seattle in Arbor Heights, who took amazing care of Joyce during her final years.

Memorial donations may be made to KNKX.org (Joyce’s favorite music station), or to the Seattle Public Library Foundation.

Please share memories or photos of Joyce on the Tribute Wall.

At Joyce’s request, no services will be held.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home -