Joyce Ruth Wilkins

Joyce Ruth Armstrong Wilkins, age 71, died February 13, 2004 in La Grande after an extended illness. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2004 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2004 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church with Father Hank Albrecht celebrating. Interment will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery.

Mrs. Wilkins was born November 15, 1932 in Salem, Oregon. She was the only child of Edwin P. and Ruth M. (Tucker) Armstrong. Following high school graduation in 1950 from Salem High School, she attended the University of Oregon and received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1954. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She was employed by the Oregon Department of Revenue and worked in the legal department of the Oregon Department of Transportation. She later worked in commercial lines insurance for Marsh & McLennan Insurance Brokers in San Francisco, California.

On November 27, 1954 she married Robert W. Wilkins. In September of 1955 they moved to La Grande and made it their permanent home. She was a partner, along with her husband, in the Wilkins Insurance Agency in La Grande and the Farris Insurance Agency in Enterprise. She was the Vice Chairman and current owner of the Abstract and Title Company in La Grande.

Mrs. Wilkins was an active member of the La Grande community. Her volunteer service included terms as past President of Central Grade School PTA and past President of CO Chapter of P.E.O. She believed in Scouting, serving for years as a Girl Scout leader and a Boy Scout Den Mother. She worked with the March of Dimes, was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church Alter Society and the Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary. A lifelong Duck fan, she kept active membership in the University of Oregon Alumni Association. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing golf and bridge with her friends.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Robert, of La Grande; sons and their spouses, Mike and Debbie Wilkins of Lake Oswego, Tom Wilkins of Portland, Rich and Jill Wilkins of Lake Oswego and Steven and Jodi Wilkins of Beaverton; daughter and her husband, Theresa and Chuck Parker of Hillsboro. Her greatest joy was being with her seven grandchildren, Malia, Kelsey, Nicholas, Peter, Jacen, Jakob and Caden.

Joyce will always remain an inspiration to her family and friends. She loved to travel and was a wonderful companion to her husband on their many adventures together. She instilled a competitive fire in each of her children that was tempered with love, compassion and a sense of fairness. She was a great cook, loved a good laugh and was sheer poetry in motion on the dance floor. When confronted with serious illness, she faced it with grit and determination. We are grateful for all the gifts she shared with us. We deeply love her and will miss her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Kidney Association of Oregon in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.