Joyce C Kelly

Joyce Kelly ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Best Funeral Services Peoria on Mar. 16, 2026.Joyce Meriam Colvin was born at home in upstate New York on December 8, 1938. She grew up in the Adirondack Mountains, the oldest girl and second oldest of 15 brothers and sisters. After graduating with honors in both business and science from Northville Central School, she went on to Albany Medical College on full scholarship where she graduated with her degree as a Registered Nurse and continued her nursing career until she retired at the age of 67. During this time she married the love of her life, Victor J. Kelly Sr. , gave birth to two children, V. John III, and Elizabeth Ann.She has worked in every area of nursing, from the prenatal floor in Albany, to a nursing home in Denver, CO. After moving to Arizona she got a job working at Phoenix General Hospital in the burn unit with Dr. Phillips, from there she moved on to head nurse at Phoenix Baptist, then as the nurse for Dr. Lahr in the private sector. After Dr. Lahr retired, she was hired on at Cigna in a leadership capacity before retiring. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth, and grandchildren Zachariah (and Stepheny), Alexandra, and Michaela; and her daughter-in-law Michelle Kelly , and grandchildren Ariel Leach, and V.J. Kelly III, along with 9 siblings, 11 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She has joined her husband, Victor J. Kelly; son, V. John Kelly Jr.; and grandson, Solomon David Rosson in heaven.Joyce was one of the founding members of Desert Hills Bible Church (originally Desert Hills Evangelical Free Church), and helped faithfully with the many ministries of the church including women's ministries, children's ministries, membership committee, and Pastoral search committee, just to mention a few. Many remember Joyce either working faithfully in the kitchen or behind the scenes making sure everything ran smoothly for all of the church events. In the early years in Arizona, she would work with her husband at the Billy Graham Crusades in any capacity needed, always with her children in tow. After working diligently in one of the Valley's many food banks she helped to start Fishes and Loaves food ministry working with several churches in the Phoenix area. She was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. Graciously reaching out and helping those in need, staying up late providing for her family, working crazy hours so others can spend time with their own families, giving anything of her own if she knew it would help someone else. She never stopped any task because it was difficult, she knew what it meant to do hard things. She was always ready to greet you with a warm smile, listening ear, compassionate heart, and always, "I will pray for you", or, "I have been praying for you. How are things going?" She was a true servant and daughter of the King. She leaves behind a legacy that continues to this day, faithfulTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.