OLYMPIA - Joyce L. Jones, retired teacher, counselor, and psychologist in Yakima schools died February 17, 2013 at Olympia, Washington.

Joyce and her twin sister Joy were born on January 22, 1920 in Carrington, Foster County, North Dakota to Nels and Grace Hanson. The family moved to Newaukum Hill near Chehalis, Washington in April, 1930. After high school, Joyce earned a B.A. degree at Central Washington College of Education and later two Masters degrees; one in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Colorado and the second in School Psychology at Central Washington University. She worked 28 years in the public schools as a teacher, counselor, and psychologist. After “retiring” she worked 22 years in a private practice called Educational Therapy, testing to discover ways for students with learning disabilities to succeed in reading and learning. She loved learning her whole life and worked tirelessly to share her knowledge with students who struggled in school.

Joyce met her husband Harold Jones while both held their first teaching jobs in Granger, Washington. For more than 50 years, Harold and Joyce lived in the Yakima Valley where they raised three children. Joyce was active in professional and community activities: League of Women Voters, Zonta, Yakima Area Arboretum, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Women’s Century Club. She served Women’s Century Club in many ways including two years as president. She was a co-author of “100 Years-100 Women,” biographies of notable women in the Yakima Valley. She portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt, Dolly Madison, and Narcissa Whitman in Yakima School’s “Women in History” project. Joyce and Harold were also active in the Democratic Party. Joyce is credited with helping persuade a young Selah Attorney named Jay Inslee to run for the State Legislature in 1987.

Joyce and Harold had an active retirement enjoying hiking, cross-country skiing, and travel with family and friends until Harold’s death in 1996 after 52 years of marriage. In the year 2000, Joyce moved to Panorama City in Lacey, Washington where she remained active in the Book Review, Panorama TV, folk dancing, and her other interests.

Joyce is survived by brother Nels Hanson in Olympia; twin sister Joy Beaver in Monroe Louisiana; sister Wilma (Rosbach) Brown in Chehalis; son Gary Jones and wife Vicki in Mount Vernon, granddaughter Amelia (Jones) Huntsberger and husband Vince, great-grandson Luke in Sand Point, Idaho; son Allen Jones and wife Lan, grandson Darwin, and granddaughter Vivian in Tumwater Washington; and daughter Elaine Jones in Port Townsend.

Memorial Services are planned for the Panorama Chapel at: 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013. Family graveside gathering will be convened later for placement of her ashes with Harold in the urn garden at Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima. For those wishing to make a memorial gift the Yakima Area Arboretum, or the Westminster Presbyterian Church are suggested.