Joyce Deane Adams Rosenthal

Palmer resident Joyce Deane Adams Rosenthal died at home with family on Feb. 19. She was buried in the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery on Feb. 21.

Joyce was born on Dec. 16, 1933 in Charlotte, N. C. She moved with her family to Rome, Ga., then to Houston, Texas. At San Jacinto High she was a member of the drill team, the Gauchos, and enjoyed dancing all of her life. After graduation she worked at the Prudential Insurance offices for several years before her marriage on Jan. 24, 1953 to Charles Henry ‘Hank’ Rosenthal. During her marriage to Hank, job moves took them across the country, from Texas, to Illinois, to New Jersey, to New York, to North Carolina to Washington and to Alaska. At every location, she made the houses, homes.

Joyce arrived in Alaska in August of 1969. She left Alaska in 1974, returning in 1980. Family and home were her priorities. She welcomed all and was a fabulous cook and hostess. She supported her husband and children, Lynn and Matt, in all their activities. Her love for her family was complete and unconditional. As her children married and had children, she delighted in each addition to the family. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother.

She volunteered her time to the community through church and Scouting activities. Later she spent many years working at the Bishop’s Attic, first as a volunteer, then as an employee. Her job there gave her much joy which she shared by singing while she worked. A member of the Lutheran Church, she knew and loved the Lord. During these last years she would look at the mountains and sky, and say Heaven is up there, and I’ll be going there one day. We just wish the time had not come so soon for her to be gone from us.

She is survived by her daughter and spouse Lynn and Butch Hallford and his mother, Jean Williams, grandchildren Kate, Kate’s fiancé, Dwight, Kelsey, Dock, Carli, Emma and her son’s widow Tammi Rosenthal. Joyce is also survived by loving family in the Lower 48. All will miss her sweet and kind nature.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, Hank, and her son, Matt.

A memorial service will be held on May 15 at 5 p.m., at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Anchorage. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.