1Macman's Place

Tribute to Joyce Hughes

Tribute to Joyce

My wife Joyce passed away on September 25, 2023, and my heart was broken. She was the love of my life and best friend, and I miss her dearly. So to honor her I created this tribute page, I felt it was something I needed to do.

Joyce M. Hughes

1959 – 2023

Joyce's Obituary

Joyce M. Hughes, 64 of Ravenna, passed away Monday September 25, 2023 at UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Ohio.

Being a lifelong Ravenna resident, Joyce was born August 13, 1959 in Ravenna to the late Delano L. and Margaret A. (Pawloski) Montgomery. She had worked at the Ravenna BMV and enjoyed the outdoors, especially going on bicycle rides, gardening and going to flea markets.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, John R. Hughes whom she married August 15, 1980, her sisters Donna (Jimmy) Smith, Michelle (Mike) Whitacre, Jan (Jim) Stacy and several nieces and nephews and she was a second mother to her niece Kelly English.

In honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life service will take place at a later date. Condolences and memories of Joyce may be shared with her family at Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes, using the link.

Joyce's Obituary Page

Celebration of Life

We held Joyce’s Celebration of Life service on May 18, 2024, at First Freedom Baptist Church, and it was really nice. Mom and I went together, and we got there early, because I had the guest book. I also wanted to be there to great people as they came in.
Visitation was scheduled for 3:30 pm and the service was at 4:00. But people started showing up around 3:00, which gave us time to great most of them.
Before and during the service we had a slideshow of Joyce, running in the vestibule and main auditorium. Her service was broadcast live on Facebook too, for those who couldn't attend.
I wanted to say some things about Joyce, but a few days before the service I started thinking, I may not be able to, without breaking down. So I thought it would be best if I write it down, and have someone read it for me.
The service started shortly after 4:00 with a prayer and a song. Then the pastor’s wife read my words, along with the poem I wrote for Joyce. And what I had written is as follows.

The Love of My Life

I married the love of my life and best friend Joyce, on August 15, 1980. We were young at the time, I was 19 and she was 21, but we were in love, and that’s what mattered.
We didn't have a fancy wedding, or a big expensive reception. But to me they were both perfect, and looking back at it now, I wouldn't have changed a thing.
I can tell you it was the right decision to marry Joyce, when I did. We were happily married for 43 years, and if we wouldn’t have done it when we did, who knows how different, our lives would have been.
Sadly my beautiful wife passed away from breast cancer, on September 25, 2023, and our life together ended. My heart was broken, and that same day, a part of me died too.
Joyce and I were inseparable, and we did everything together. I have so many fond memories of being with her, and I will keep those memories, close to my heart, for the rest of my life.
It’s still hard for me to explain how I feel about loosing her, and I may never be able to. But a month after she passed I wrote a poem for her, and maybe that says it all.

My Beautiful Wife Joyce

I love you now, as I did on our wedding day; which seems just like it was yesterday.

My life with you was so incredibly good; exactly the way I knew it would.

As the years went by our love for each other grew; and how long we had together, only God knew.

And the time in our lives that we did have to spend; I promised I would love you, until the end.

But I always thought we would grow old together; and I truly wished that could be forever.

So my heart was broken, the day you passed away; but I know my love, I'll see you again someday.

By John R. Hughes
October 25, 2023
I love you Joyce and sure do miss you, and I promise you my love, I will never forget you.

Service Continued

People seemed touched by my words, and some were even in tears. The service continued as the pastor asked if anyone else would like to share their memories of Joyce, and many people did.
The paster then started his message, it was beautiful and he brought Joyce into every aspect of it. The service ended with a song and a prayer, then the pastor had me and all of Joyce’s family members stand up front, for condolences and words from the attendees.
After that we went downstairs to eat and socialize. There was a lot of great food, and I think everyone had a nice time.
We had a good turnout, although some I had hoped would come, apparently couldn’t make it. But I did get to see some people, that I haven't seen in quite a while. All in all it ended up being a nice service, for someone who truly deserved it, my beautiful wife Joyce.
As I walked out of the church to leave, something hit me though. For the first time, I felt my life with Joyce, was truly over.
The following three days I didn't talk to anyone, I didn't answer the phone, or respond to text messages. I guess I was trying to deal with it all, or maybe I was in mourning, or both. I'm not really sure, but I just wanted to be alone.

My Life Now

I still can’t believe Joyce is gone, and since she passed away, I have a hard time making it through the day. I am so lonely, and I miss her dearly. And after being together for 45 years, you can’t image how hard it is for me without her.
Right after she passed away I was really busy, changing and canceling accounts, dealing with Social Security, and making sure her bills were taken care of. You don't know how much you have to do, until you actually loose a spouse, and I'll tell you it's overwhelming.
Joyce and I had been together since 1978, and now I'm by myself. Holidays, family gatherings, and all the things I do every day, just aren't the same without her there. Everything I see around the house reminds me of her, and it makes me really sad. And when I go out to dinner, it just doesn't feel right without her.
When I went to my first flea market without Joyce, in 2024, it was really hard. I pictured her with me, in the car, and walking beside me, as I looked around. Joyce loved going to flea markets so much, and just days before she died, she kept saying she wanted to go.
People say it gets better over time, but I don't think it ever will. And unless you've lost a spouse, you have no idea what it's like.
My life was changed forever when Joyce died, and it will never be the same. There is no one to talk to when I'm at home, I am always there alone. No one to say good morning to, and no one to spend the day with.
I have no one to go out and do things with, or to have dinner with at home. There's nobody there when I need a hand, and no one to help with the chores.
No one to kiss, or hug, or hold, or comfort me when I feel down. But the worst thing of all is, I have no one to say I love you to, and no one to love me back.
My life is completely empty now, and I feel so alone. The girl I loved so much is gone, and I will never see her again. Maybe someday I'll meet someone to share my life with, but they will never be like Joyce.
Joyce was the love of my life and best friend, and I miss her so much. Life without her has been really hard, and I'm not sure it will ever get better. There is one thing I am certain of though, and that is I will never forget her.

Touching Poem

My mother sent me the poem below, and it really touched my heart. I think will mean a lot to anyone who's lost a spouse, so I wanted to share it with you.
When I Lost You

I wish I could see you one more time; come walking through the door...

But I know that's impossible; I will hear your voice no more.

I know you can feel my tears; and you don't want me to cry.

Yet my heart is broken, because I can't understand; why someone so precious had to die.

I pray that God will give me strength; and somehow get me through.

As I struggle with the heartache; that came when I lost you.

(Author Unknown)
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