Joyce Virginia Bake, a loving, selfless, and faith-filled woman, passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 29, 2023, in Anacortes, Washington. Born on April 15, 1921, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, to parents: Edward and Sarah (Elliott) Barker, Joyce lived a fulfilling life of 101 years (2 weeks short of 102 years) and described in a nutshell, by her friend, Lynn as a "lively, spunky person, who told it like it is."  Was it any wonder with Joyce being a red head that the description aptly applied to her.

Her early years were spent in Wisconsin up until her twenties.  Joyce moved to Kansas, where she met the love of her life, Jesse P. Bake.  He was in the Navy and they married on December 24, 1951. The Summer of 1952 Jesse was transferred to San Diego and the Bake family transferred again to the naval base in Whidbey Island in 1963 when Jesse was deployed there.  They found Anacortes while looking for a place to live and have since made it their home.

Joyce was a devoted wife to her late husband, Jesse P. Bake, Sr., with whom she shared 39 beautiful years of marriage. Together, they raised a loving family, including their children Jesse Jr, Georgene Monday, Richard (Sondra) Bake, and Annalee Tenbrink. Joyce was predeceased by her daughters: Edeane and Peggy, her parents and siblings: Bud, Doris and Grace. She was a proud grandmother to 13 grandchildren, and her love extended to numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Though her formal education concluded after the 9th grade, Joyce was a lifelong learner and a hardworking woman. She dedicated her career to working as a housekeeper in the healthcare industry. She never met a stranger. Joyce touched many lives with her warmth and care. She was also an excellent cook and a locally renowned baker, delighting family and friends with her delicious pies and cinnamon rolls. Her pies were highly favored at Church Bake Sales and fetched as much as $25-$30 each at their fundraising auctions.

Joyce's interests were as diverse as her talents. She possessed a beautiful singing voice that filled the hearts of those who heard her, and she loved to dance, gracefully moving to the rhythm of life. An avid gardener, Joyce nurtured the earth as tenderly as she did her family and friends. She and her husband shared a love for travel, often embarking on spontaneous trips to visit loved ones in Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin, arriving unannounced to share in the joy of togetherness.

Jesse, Jr clipped a meme on Love from the Net that reflects on Joyce's love: "A Physician once said, " The best medicine for humans is Love." Someone asked, "What if it doesn't work?" The physician smiled and said, "Increase the dose."" Joyce's loving spirit and selflessness will forever be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know her. She was always present to her children in their lives and was their rock to the very end of her life.  Her 100 ^th birthday was spent with a lively hillbilly band with her rocking away at the music. You wouldn't know she was a centennial. Joyce Virginia Bake will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all who were touched by her gentle soul.

To share memories of Joyce, please sign her online guestbook  at www.evanschapel.com/obituary/joyce-bake .