Joy Sanders

Joy Cecelia Sanders was born on September 26, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa to Henry and Dorothy (Anderson) Sanders. She was their only child.

Joy moved to the Woodward Resource Center (formerly Woodward State Hospital School) on November 17, 1951 at the age of 9, living here until April 11, 1995. Joy returned to Woodward Resource Center again on March 1, 1966 leaving again on April 19, 1966 and finally returning on July 6, 1994 living here until her passing on March 30, 2022. While living here, Joy lived at 204 Pine until moving to 107 Franklin on January 19, 2011. She passed away peacefully on March 30, 202 at the Mercy Hospice House in Johnston at 79 years of age.

Over the years that Joy lived here she touched many lives, those of her housemates and staff supporting her throughout her life. Many remember Joy for her love of singing and knowing a variety of songs! Joy loved her hats and wearing all of her “pretties”. She liked being dressed up with hair accessories, necklaces, scarves. She was very polite thanking those who assisted her. Joy said the Lord’s Prayer almost every night and her favorite hymn was Holy, Holy, Holy.

Joy’s smile melted hearts of everyone she met and she loved giving and receiving hugs!

Joy peacefully passed away on March 30, 2022 at the Mercy Hospice House in Johnston. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Dorothy Sanders.

Graveside Services for Joy are scheduled for 1:00 pm, Thursday, April 7, 202 at the Des Moines Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines.

A Celebration of Life Service for Joy is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. April 15, 2022 at 107 Franklin.

Affectionately known as “Joy, Joy” will be missed by the many lives that she touched throughout her life.

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