Tribute to My Wife Joyce
My wife Joyce passed away on September 25, 2023, and my heart was broken. She was the love of my life and best friend, and I miss her dearly. So to honor her, I created this tribute page, I felt it was something I needed to do.
Picture Text
Joyce M. Hughes
1959 – 2023
Joyce Hughes Obituary
Joyce M. Hughes, 64 of Ravenna, passed away Monday September 25, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Ohio.
Being a lifelong Ravenna resident, Joyce was born August 13, 1959 in Ravenna to the late Delano L. and Margaret A. (Pawloski) Montgomery. She had worked at the Ravenna BMV and enjoyed the outdoors, especially going on bicycle rides, gardening and going to flea markets.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, John R. Hughes whom she married August 15, 1980, her sisters Donna (Jimmy) Smith, Michelle (Mike) Whitacre, Jan (Jim) Stacy and several nieces and nephews and she was a second mother to her niece Kelly English
In honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life service will take place at a later date. Condolences and memories of Joyce may be shared with her family at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes, using the link below.
Celebration of Life
We held Joyce’s Celebration of Life service on May 18, 2024, at First Freedom Baptist Church, and it was really nice. My mom and I went together and we got there early, because I had the guest book, and I also wanted to be there to great people as they came in.
Visitation was scheduled for 3:30 pm and the service was at 4:00. But people started showing up around 3:00 pm which was was nice, because it gave us time to talk to most of them.
Before and during the service, we had a slideshow of Joyce running in the vestibule and main auditorium. Her service was even broadcast live on Facebook, for those who couldn't attend.
The service started shortly after 4:00 pm with a prayer and a song. After that the pastor’s wife read what I had written for Joyce. I wasn’t sure I would be able to say the things I wanted to without breaking down, or have my words come out right. So I thought it best to write it down, and have someone read it for me.
What I wrote for her, is as follows.
The Love of My Life
I married the love of my life and best friend Joyce, on August 15, 1980. We were very young at the time, I was 19, and she was 21, but we were in love, and that’s what mattered.
We didn't have a fancy wedding, or a big expensive reception. But to me they were both perfect, and looking back at it now, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
I can tell you it was the right decision to marry Joyce, when I did. We were happily married for 43 years, and if we wouldn’t have done it when we did, who knows how different, our lives would have been.
Sadly my beautiful wife passed away from breast cancer, on September 25, 2023, and our life together ended. My heart was broken, and that same day, a part of me died too.
Joyce and I were inseparable, and we did everything together. I have so many fond memories of being with her, and I will keep those memories, close to my heart, for the rest of my life.
It’s still hard for me to explain, how I feel after loosing her though, and I may never be able to. But a month after she passed, I wrote a poem for her, and maybe that says it all.
My Beautiful Wife Joyce
I love you now, as I did on our wedding day;
which seems just like it was yesterday.
My life with you was so incredibly good;
exactly the way I knew it would.
As the years went by our love for each other grew;
and how long we had together, only God knew.
And the time in our lives that we did have to spend;
I promised I would love you, until the end.
But I always thought we would grow old together;
and I truly wished that could be forever.
So my heart was broken, the day you passed away;
but I know my love, I'll see you again someday.
By John R. Hughes
October 25, 2023
I love you Joyce and sure do miss you, and I promise you my love, I will never forget you.
The Service Continued
People seemed touched by my words, and some were even in tears. The service continued as the pastor asked if anyone else would like to share their memories of Joyce, and many people did.
The paster then started his message, it was beautiful and he brought Joyce into every aspect of it. The service ended with a song and a prayer, then the pastor had me and all of Joyce’s family members stand up front, for condolences and words from the attendees.
After that we went downstairs to eat and socialize. There was a lot of great food, and I think everyone had a nice time.
We had a good turnout too, although some I had hoped would come, apparently couldn’t make it. But I did get to see some people, that I haven't seen in quite a while. All-in all it ended up being a nice service, for someone who truly deserved it, my beautiful wife Joyce.
As I walked out of the church to leave though, something hit me. For the first time, I felt my life with Joyce, was truly over. The following three days, I didn't talk to anyone, I didn't answer the phone, or respond to text messages. I guess it was time for me to just deal with it all, or maybe I was in mourning. I don't know, but I just wanted to be alone.
My Life Now
I still can’t believe Joyce is gone, and since she passed away, I have a hard time making it through the day. I am so lonely and I miss her dearly, and after being together for 45 years, you can’t image how hard it is, being without her.
Right after she passed away I was really busy, changing and canceling accounts, dealing with Social Security, and making sure her bills were taken care of. You don't know how much you have to do, until you actually loose a spouse, and I'll tell you, it's overwhelming.
Joyce and I have been together since 1978, and now I'm by myself. Holidays, family gatherings, and the things I do every day, just aren't the same without her there. Everything I see around the house reminds me of her too, and it makes me really sad. Even when I go out to dinner, it just doesn't feel right without her.
When I went to my first flea market without her in 2024, it was really hard. I pictured her sitting in the car with me, and walking beside me, as I looked around. Joyce loved flea markets so much, and just days before she died, she kept saying she wanted to go.
Life without Joyce, has been really hard for me so far, and I'm not sure it will ever get better. She was the love of my life and best friend, and I miss her so much. There is one thing I am certain of though, and that is, I will never forget her.
For more information about our privacy practices, please read our Website Policy.