Joy Dunn, 67, went to be with her precious Savior, Jesus Christ on March 14, 2011. She was surrounded at home by her beloved family. Her funeral service, with Tim Coop officiating, will be held at Crossroads Christian Church on Thursday March 24, 2011 at 11 a.m.
Joy was born on June 1, 1943 to Robert and Florence Hanson, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She attended nursing school in Minnesota for three years. Three months before completion of the program she decided nursing was not the direction she wanted to continue. She married her Marine, Lloyd Dunn, 47 year ago and they moved to California. At the age of 55 Joy completed her education with a Bachelor of Science Degree at Hope International University.
For the past 28 years Joy and Lloyd owned and ran a small business, Evans Leak Detection. Helping run their business didn't keep Joy from volunteer community work. She was Corona Parks and Recreational Commissioner for 18 years, a Mentor Mom for "Moms of Pre-Schoolers” and a Home Fellowship Leader. She worked with the Corona Police Community Partnership. Joy was a very active member of Crossroads Christian Church for 43 years. She was a church elder.
Joy had a special passion for her work and her friendships with the Circle City Rotary Club, where she had served as president. On Sunday, March 13, she asked that they be told how much she loved them and that "Rotary meant everything to me ... They were part of my family." She was an active member for over 20 years. Through the Hurricane Katrina Stars (Service to American Rotarians) Joy and Lloyd traveled on their Harley from California to the Gulf Coast to help in the rebuilding of little league baseball field and a Rotarian home. She was a Rotoplast Medical Team Member traveling to Cumana, Venezuela to make the lives of the people better. Joy was a part of the selfless endeavor of Rotary Mission trips to Costa Rica, bringing medical supplies, dental care and school supplies to students.
Joy was diagnosed to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in September 2008. She called upon her faith, family, and friends as she accepted the fact that this neurological disease would destroy her Central Nervous System. She credited the Lord Jesus for answering the prayers of family and friends in slowing the progression of her muscle weakness.
Her nomination for "Woman of the Year" 2011 for the State of California was a great honor. She was looking forward to going to Sacramento on March 21, 2011 for the award ceremony.
She determined to make each day special. That determination was important for her as she worked hard to maintain peace and acceptance of her disease. She and Lloyd ventured out on several major trips following her diagnosis. They traveled to Costa Rica, Chile, México, Minnesota, Washington, and even rode their Harley from Corona, California to Abilene, Texas in April of 2010. They met their goal to make each day special. Joy reminded herself of a favorite scripture in Philippians 4:3: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Joy had very close family ties with all who survive her; Husband, Lloyd Dunn, sons, Mark (Adrienne) Dunn and Brian (Jennifer) Dunn of Corona, and her Rotary "exchange kid", Claudio Valenzuela from Chili; eight grandchildren, brother Kurt Hanson of Kent, WA, Sisters, Lorna Berg of Albert Lea, MN; Linda Anderson of Rochester, MN; Anita Kess of Eagan, MN and many nieces and nephews. She had a host of close friends. The parents of Joy preceded her in death.