Joyce O'Donnell
April 18, 1937 - August 3, 2021

Joyce Annette (Pietila) O'Donnell

Joyce O'Donnell, beloved matriarch, passed away on August 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Joyce was born in Portland, Oregon to Edwin and Thelma (Niiranen) Pietila on April 18, 1937. Raised on Finn Hill, in rural Clark County, WA, Joyce graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1955, and earned a BA from Western Washington University in 1959. She married WWU classmate Larry O'Donnell that same year, and they both began careers as educators, settling down in Everett, WA. They raised a family in the dream home they purchased on Grand Avenue, where they lived for over 46 years.
As a working mother, Joyce advocated for families, through church work and as a active member of the Democratic Party. She helped establish local preschools and a Head Start program in Tulalip. In 1978, Joyce began a successful 30 year career as a realtor. Her greatest satisfaction came from helping young families acquire their first homes.
Joyce loved travel and planned family road trips, crisscrossing the USA in Mrs. Hippie, the red VW van. Later, Joyce went to Finland, meeting relatives there. After retirement, she took many cruises, often with her grandchildren, or with good friends, ultimately visiting over 40 countries.
She was a life-long Lutheran, proud Finn, accordion player, and world traveler. She will be remembered because she truly cared about others.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Raymond. She is survived by her husband Larry, daughter Jodi Harris (Henry); sons Michael and Douglas O'Donnell; grandchildren Helena and Henry Harris, Tiffani Jorgensen (Eric), Kourtney Dalzell (John), Kaitlyn O'Donnell and Sammy O'Donnell; great grandchildren Kash, Reese, Shayley, Amelia, Mason, Maverick and Lincoln; cousins Marvin Pietila and Merrill Pietila, and in-laws Jack and Mary O'Donnell and family. The family expresses deep appreciation to all who provided love and support during Joyce's final illness.
A public visitation be will held for Joyce on Friday, August 13, 11:00am-3:00pm at Solie Funeral Home, 3301 Colby. A Celebration of Life service and reception will be on Saturday, August 14, 11:00am at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 215 Mukilteo Blvd, Everett, WA 98203.
Joyce Annette (Pietila) O'Donnell

Joyce O'Donnell, beloved matriarch, passed away on August 3, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Joyce was born in Portland, Oregon to Edwin and Thelma (Niiranen) Pietila on April 18, 1937. Raised on Finn Hill, in rural Clark County, WA, Joyce graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1955, and earned a BA from Western Washington University in 1959. She married WWU classmate Larry O'Donnell that same year, and they both began careers as educators, settling down in Everett, WA. They raised a family in the dream home they purchased on Grand Avenue, where they lived for over 46 years.
As a working mother, Joyce advocated for families, through church work and as a active member of the Democratic Party. She helped establish local preschools and a Head Start program in Tulalip. In 1978, Joyce began a successful 30 year career as a realtor. Her greatest satisfaction came from helping young families acquire their first homes.
Joyce loved travel and planned family road trips, crisscrossing the USA in Mrs. Hippie, the red VW van. Later, Joyce went to Finland, meeting relatives there. After retirement, she took many cruises, often with her grandchildren, or with good friends, ultimately visiting over 40 countries.
She was a life-long Lutheran, proud Finn, accordion player, and world traveler. She will be remembered because she truly cared about others.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Raymond. She is survived by her husband Larry, daughter Jodi Harris (Henry); sons Michael and Douglas O'Donnell; grandchildren Helena and Henry Harris, Tiffani Jorgensen (Eric), Kourtney Dalzell (John), Kaitlyn O'Donnell and Sammy O'Donnell; great grandchildren Kash, Reese, Shayley, Amelia, Mason, Maverick and Lincoln; cousins Marvin Pietila and Merrill Pietila, and in-laws Jack and Mary O'Donnell and family. The family expresses deep appreciation to all who provided love and support during Joyce's final illness.
A public visitation be will held for Joyce on Friday, August 13, 11:00am-3:00pm at Solie Funeral Home, 3301 Colby. A Celebration of Life service and reception will be on Saturday, August 14, 11:00am at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 215 Mukilteo Blvd, Everett, WA 98203.

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