Joyce Hanover

September 30, 1926 - February 20, 2011

Joyce died peacefully early Sunday morning after two weeks in hospice care. She was 84. She spent more than 20 years as a resident of Yachats, enjoying the coastal air in quiet solitude and prayer. She was born Joyce Mae Fortune in Everett, Wash., to Austin Fortune and Lucile Cameron-Fortune. In 1945, at age 17, Joyce headed down to San Diego, Calif., to help with the war effort, and met her future husband, Lawrence Hanover, as his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy was ending. They moved east to be closer to his family, and raised seven children in Colchester, Conn. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, in 1987, and her son, Robert Hanover, in 1997. Survivors include brother Don Fortune of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; sons, Dennis of Baton Rouge, La., Kevin of Melrose, Mass., Keith of Kenwood, Calif., Lawrence of Southern Pines, N.C., and Donald of Holyoke, Mass.; daughter Theresa Hanover of Corvallis; 20 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. All will cherish and remember her loving presence in their lives. A viewing followed by a funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Corvallis. Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Benton Hospice Service Mission in Joyce's name. They helped her fulfill her last wish, to die at home in peace, cared for by her family.