Obituary

Joy Craig was born on November 18, 1928 in Lubbock, Texas. Because of abuse in her childhood home, she worked hard to graduate from high school early and moved out at age 16. She worked as a telephone operator and waitress. She met her husband, Douglas Craig, while serving him coffee. It was love at first sight. They took care of each other for over 75 years.

Because her husband Douglas worked as a pilot, he would frequently be gone for weeks at a time, and she adeptly took care of their three children on her own for much of the time. She was a loving and powerful matriarch, and nothing was more important to her than the family she and Douglas created.

She became a grandmother of three and was completely devoted to them. She and Douglas would visit them every chance they got and never missed a play, choir recital, or graduation. She bought herself an iPad in her late 80s and used it frequently to FaceTime her great-grandchildren. She never stopped learning or wondering.

She was an accomplished woman of varied talents including knitting, crochet, cross stitch, and gardening. She was an avid reader and consumed a book a day. In her spare time, she also enjoyed crossword puzzles, astronomy, and spending time with her grandchildren and later great-grandchildren.

She was also a passionate advocate for women’s rights. She refused to pass on the legacy of abuse that she endured as a child and three generations have now benefitted from her decision to give far better than she ever got. She was the best mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, even though nothing positive was ever modeled to her as a child.

She passed away at St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham on November 3, 2021. She is survived by her husband Douglas Craig of Bellingham, daughter Pam Craig of Bellingham, son Douglas “Randy” Craig of Bellingham, son Richard “Kent” Craig and daughter-in-law Joanie Craig of Stanwood, granddaughter Bekah Craig of Samish Island, grandson Nathan Craig of Stanwood, grandson Sam Craig of Sedro-Woolley, and great-granddaughters Gracie and Willow Young-Craig of Samish Island.

A funeral service will be held on Thurs. Nov. 11, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. at Greenacres Memorial Park Chapel (5700 Northwest Dr. Ferndale, WA), followed by a 10:00 a.m. graveside committal at Greenacres Memorial Park.

Please share your memories and condolences in Joy’s online guestbook.