Joyce Buck

JOYCE ADELLE WILSON WILKEY BUCK

June 15, 1937 - March 18, 2025

In the early morning hours of March 18, 2025, at age 87, Joyce Adelle Wilson Wilkey Buck crossed over to the other side. She was at peace and anticipating a joyful reunion with those she had lost.

Her passing was one of dignity, love, strength, joy, sorrow, and healing. Her light in this world was beyond description. It shone bright and steadfast and will continue to do so. The legacy of love, kindness, and humanitarian service she leaves behind will live on in all those she touched along her way.

Joyce was born June 15, 1937, 20 miles south of the Canadian border in the small village of Hallock, Minnesota to Marie Jeanne Elise Conrad Wilson and Walter Gustav Wilson. Grannie Jean was a sassy French Canadian from Winnipeg and Grandpa Walt was a hard-working, ship-building Swede from North Dakota, hence the strong-willed, eclectic and amazing woman Joyce would become.

Joyce was the first born of three and was raised primarily in Redding, California with her two brothers Wallace "Sonny" and Johnny Wilson. One of her first jobs was at the local sock-hop restaurant owned by her father in the 1940's (Do-Drop Inn). She worked alongside her dad and was taught the hard-nosed, Depression Era values of hard work, integrity, frugality and fortitude which served her well throughout her life.

As a pre-teen, she accidentally cut off her own right index finger and part of her thumb attempting to cut an old Coke bottle (she always loved an ice-cold Coca Cola) and loved to graciously joke about her mishaps. Her light-hearted banter and joy (Joyce) were infectious as she told stories about those she loved and the good times she had. Joyce was a quick-witted, straight shooter and always had a snappy comeback for any phrase that was thrown her way.

Joyce attended Shasta College and Chico State University and obtained an Associate's degree (1957) in pre-nursing, which became part of her lifelong journey of providing service to others. She highly valued learning and self-improvement throughout her life.

At the ripe age of 23, Joyce forged her own path and moved to the Financial District of San Francisco, California. Embracing her free-spirit and sense of adventure, Joyce created a new life for herself enjoying the diverse subculture that was brewing in San Francisco in 1960. She shared fond memories of spending time in the Bay Area and being employed at Crocker National Bank which was within walking distance to Golden Gate Park.

She loved to take in the sights and sounds of California whenever she could. She soon met a young Utah boy named Jack Wilkey in downtown S.F while he was on leave from the U.S. Coast Guard. They were married in 1960 in Redding, California and then moved to Utah to raise their family. Joyce was blessed with three boys - Michael (1961-2020), Richard (1962) and Ronald (1970) - and she raised them with the same precious values that were instilled in her at a young age.

She also shared her deep love of Redding and the Bay Area with her boys. Annual summer trips to Redding, including trips to the family cabin on the Trinity River, became a much-anticipated tradition.

Joyce embraced her new life in Utah with sheer grace. She worked as a dental assistant, church/mental health volunteer and security guard at the Salt Lake City International Airport, all of which she loved. Joyce was also a fierce advocate for those with mental health disorders and dedicated her time to attending communal groups, support services and visits whenever she could. She cherished the interactions with those less fortunate and was uplifted by the sense of security and compassion she brought to others. She made many friends along the way and would frequently talk about those that touched her heart in a special way.

In 1990, she married David Buck. They were married until his death in 2020. Joyce and Dave loved and supported one another throughout their marriage, through the good times and the challenging ones. They shared many adventures and loved to travel. They especially enjoyed time spent volunteering together, and they supported many veterans along the way. Joyce and David made their home in Murray and South Salt Lake for many years.

Throughout her life, Joyce never wavered in helping others and offering a gesture of kindness to those in need. Joyce was strong and unapologetic; she never hesitated to do the right thing for the right reason. She was the one you wanted in your corner and she made no bones about speaking her mind and standing up for her truth.

Those most blessed by her loving kindness and acts of service was her family. She was an amazing and supportive mother, grandmother, loyal and true friend, confidant, colleague, wife, sister and just plain bad ass woman. She brought an unmistakable light to all who knew her and that light will continue to shine on as they follow her selfless example of love, compassion, and authenticity. She had a special interest in healing and forgiveness and frequently wrote about such topics.

She also loved to spend time with her grandkids, play cards, checkers, puzzles, sew, read and write. One of her biggest passions was writing down scripture from the Bible and beautiful passages that gave her comfort throughout her life. She took advantage of teaching moments and used the bible verses and short parables as encouragement for her children and grandchildren whenever she could.

Survived by her brother John (Linda) Wilson, sons Richard and Ronald Wilkey. Grandchildren Trishelle, John (Jael) and Jennifer Wilkey, Britni Valdez, Jason Olsen, Jenilee (Collin) Cooper, Michael Bryant, TJ, DJ, Joshua, Acacia, Alex and Aidan Wilkey. Joyce was blessed with twenty-eight great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brother Wallace "Sonny" (Dee) Wilson, son Michael Wilkey, Jack Wilkey (divorced), David Buck (husband), grandson Anthony Wilkey, grandsons Jason and Matthew Bryant.

She was a member of Trinity United Methodist and later Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) for many years. Her unwavering faith and personal convictions carried her throughout most of her life. Her love and compassion were evident in all those she touched.

A shout out to all her friends at CUMC for their love and support. A special thank you to two of her life-long surviving best buds, Pat Wayman and Pat Van Nordstrom. She deeply cherished your friendship. To Lorraine Lakey, we will forever be grateful for your friendship and kindness to Joyce and her family.

Jenn Wilkey also held a special place in Joyce's heart. Thank you, Jenn for all that you did. She loved you and all her grandkids very, very much. Thank you for riding with her till the end.

Joyce was quite modest and wished to be cremated with her ashes spread in the San Francisco Bay off of the Golden Gate Bridge. This will be honored, regardless of California Law. 😉

A celebration of her life and a short service will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025 at noon at Christ United Methodist Church, 2375 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84109.

Instead of flowers, please do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness in Joyce's honor. That is the kind of woman that Joyce was and her legacy will live on in our acts of kindness and compassion towards one another. A lesson she will continue to teach us all in her own way.