Official Obituary of
Juanita "Joyce" Maehl
May 12, 1931 ~ May 22, 2019 (age 88) 88 Years Old
Juanita Maehl Obituary
Juanita Joyce Maehl left her body and this world behind for the greatest adventure of all, her soul returning to heaven, Wednesday May 22, 2019, just 10 days after her 88th year on this earth. Joyce was born to Willa Lee (McLemore) and Michael Domitrovich. She was the light of her father's life until his death in a car accident when she was 8.
Joyce kept very active in the community until she had a major stroke Oct. 31, 2012. Communicating became extremely difficult and frustrating. She spent the remainder of her life for the most part in the Anaconda nursing home.
We choose to remember the Soul of Joyce. She was AMAZING! She was tough and strong, intelligent and extremely creative, talented at everything she tried, funny and fun, vivacious, comical, determined, persuasive, inclusive and welcoming, a good listener and good advisor, a devoted friend, full of wonder and open to adventures. Joyce lived life to the full and squeezed every bit of life out of every day she was given.
After high school Joyce attended the Butte Business College for 2 years and received a certificate as an Executive Secretary and for being top student. She then enlisted in the United States Navy. At a time when women were not particularly respected for taking the military path, Joyce had the courage to follow her dream.
The time Joyce spent in the Navy was the accomplishment of which she was most proud. After being stationed at Naval Weapons Base Charleston in South Carolina, Joyce became Yeoman 3rd class and the Secretary to the Captain under the Inspector General of the 6th Naval District. Her duties included taking testimonies of serious acts against the military code of justice, inspecting naval installations with her Captain, sending reports and recommendations to the naval bases and following up on those recommendations. Joyce is a registered member at the Women's Memorial in Washington, DC for military women. Joyce was a great patriot.
However, the most memorable experience in the Navy was being an extra in a movie with Ester Williams. The movie is called "Skirts Ahoy!" Joyce had a center screen close up between the two actresses including Joan Evans for about 15 seconds.
At that time women were not allowed to stay in the military once they had children and so Joyce was required to leave the Navy after she married and started a family. She married William Kalan of Milwaukee, WI, whom she met while both were serving. They had two daughters together, Toni Lee (Tonya) and Cynthia Joyce (Cindie). They were later divorced, and Joyce married Robert Maehl in 1978.
Joyce lived in Anaconda all but the few years she was in the Navy. She had a passion for serving the community she so loved. She has been a beloved Girls Scout Leader, camp counselor and Program Director, 4-H leader, financial committee member for the Anaconda Task Force, member of the financial board for the Southwest Montana Community Federal Credit Union, held every office in the Daughters of Isabella including Regent, served on the tree board for many years, and a lifetime member and former President of the Anaconda Garden Club, where she spearheaded the refurbishing of the Begonia House in the park. She, along with her daughter Cindie, were Program Directors for hosting international exchange students, bringing in numerous groups from Japan, Mexico and Chile. She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, a proud member of the American Legion and member of the Catholic Community and of the choir. She held many jobs as an accountant, merchandiser and longtime Manager of Discount Fabrics in Butte.
In the 80's, Joyce was invited by the Governor's Office to be a "Friendship Ambassador with a group traveling to China and experiencing the life and people there. She was also invited to travel to Japan which was her dream trip. Her travels were so enjoyed that she and Sister Gilmary Vaughn traveled on their own back to Japan and Hong Kong for a month.
Joyce was generous with her time and love. She was a wonderful mother to her young girls until they were teens, at which time she became a terrible mother and didn't know anything at all. She made her daughters do chores and kept strict curfews. She tried to make them be responsible and learn the value of hard work and other unreasonable things. It was a difficult time for everyone involved. The daughters were sure they would not survive such cruelty. And then subtly over time, she became so smart again and the daughters had learned the lessons and she was wonderful and fun again! What a transformation she made!! And her daughters appreciate having had such a mother. She taught her daughters a love of the outdoors and nature, a love of music which always filled their home, a love of art and creativity. She taught them to love God and his creation and to help people when they were in need. She taught them by example.
There was really nothing Joyce could not do, if she chose to. She was a good artist, a needle worker, a crafter, a designer, a singer and piano player, a gardener, and a fabulous seamstress. She made prom and wedding dresses for many in Anaconda. She designed and made the Montana themed costume for Miss Montana to wear in the Miss USA pageant one year. (She also chaperoned the girls.) She could design and make anything she could envision.
Joyce will be missed by all who knew her. She was a ray of fun and sun in this world. She is preceded in death by both parents.
She leaves her husband, Robert Maehl, her daughters; Toni Lee (Tonya) Lescantz and Cindie Kalan-Green; her grandsons, Chad Green, Wesley Green, and Ethan Green & (Kellie Lorengo), great granddaughters, Lyndsey & (Joe) Stulc and Gavinn Green; her sister Judie Coleman, niece, Rhonda Gaddis and nephew, Darren Coleman, cousin John Domitrovich, her devoted best friend Sue Montgomery, who is an angel, and her favorite grandpuppy, Denali.
The funeral services will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 217 W Pennsylvania Ave, Anaconda, Friday, June 7 at 1:00 p.m. Military honors will be held immediately after at the church. A celebration of life will be held at the church with a luncheon. Bring your wonderful memories to share.
In lieu flowers, please make donations to the Anaconda American Legion, Post 21, 220 Cedar Street, Anaconda, MT 59711.
217 W Pennsylvania AVe
Anaconda, MT 59711
Joyce kept very active in the community until she had a major stroke Oct. 31, 2012. Communicating became extremely difficult and frustrating. She spent the remainder of her life for the most part in the Anaconda nursing home.
We choose to remember the Soul of Joyce. She was AMAZING! She was tough and strong, intelligent and extremely creative, talented at everything she tried, funny and fun, vivacious, comical, determined, persuasive, inclusive and welcoming, a good listener and good advisor, a devoted friend, full of wonder and open to adventures. Joyce lived life to the full and squeezed every bit of life out of every day she was given.
After high school Joyce attended the Butte Business College for 2 years and received a certificate as an Executive Secretary and for being top student. She then enlisted in the United States Navy. At a time when women were not particularly respected for taking the military path, Joyce had the courage to follow her dream.
The time Joyce spent in the Navy was the accomplishment of which she was most proud. After being stationed at Naval Weapons Base Charleston in South Carolina, Joyce became Yeoman 3rd class and the Secretary to the Captain under the Inspector General of the 6th Naval District. Her duties included taking testimonies of serious acts against the military code of justice, inspecting naval installations with her Captain, sending reports and recommendations to the naval bases and following up on those recommendations. Joyce is a registered member at the Women's Memorial in Washington, DC for military women. Joyce was a great patriot.
However, the most memorable experience in the Navy was being an extra in a movie with Ester Williams. The movie is called "Skirts Ahoy!" Joyce had a center screen close up between the two actresses including Joan Evans for about 15 seconds.
At that time women were not allowed to stay in the military once they had children and so Joyce was required to leave the Navy after she married and started a family. She married William Kalan of Milwaukee, WI, whom she met while both were serving. They had two daughters together, Toni Lee (Tonya) and Cynthia Joyce (Cindie). They were later divorced, and Joyce married Robert Maehl in 1978.
Joyce lived in Anaconda all but the few years she was in the Navy. She had a passion for serving the community she so loved. She has been a beloved Girls Scout Leader, camp counselor and Program Director, 4-H leader, financial committee member for the Anaconda Task Force, member of the financial board for the Southwest Montana Community Federal Credit Union, held every office in the Daughters of Isabella including Regent, served on the tree board for many years, and a lifetime member and former President of the Anaconda Garden Club, where she spearheaded the refurbishing of the Begonia House in the park. She, along with her daughter Cindie, were Program Directors for hosting international exchange students, bringing in numerous groups from Japan, Mexico and Chile. She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, a proud member of the American Legion and member of the Catholic Community and of the choir. She held many jobs as an accountant, merchandiser and longtime Manager of Discount Fabrics in Butte.
In the 80's, Joyce was invited by the Governor's Office to be a "Friendship Ambassador with a group traveling to China and experiencing the life and people there. She was also invited to travel to Japan which was her dream trip. Her travels were so enjoyed that she and Sister Gilmary Vaughn traveled on their own back to Japan and Hong Kong for a month.
Joyce was generous with her time and love. She was a wonderful mother to her young girls until they were teens, at which time she became a terrible mother and didn't know anything at all. She made her daughters do chores and kept strict curfews. She tried to make them be responsible and learn the value of hard work and other unreasonable things. It was a difficult time for everyone involved. The daughters were sure they would not survive such cruelty. And then subtly over time, she became so smart again and the daughters had learned the lessons and she was wonderful and fun again! What a transformation she made!! And her daughters appreciate having had such a mother. She taught her daughters a love of the outdoors and nature, a love of music which always filled their home, a love of art and creativity. She taught them to love God and his creation and to help people when they were in need. She taught them by example.
There was really nothing Joyce could not do, if she chose to. She was a good artist, a needle worker, a crafter, a designer, a singer and piano player, a gardener, and a fabulous seamstress. She made prom and wedding dresses for many in Anaconda. She designed and made the Montana themed costume for Miss Montana to wear in the Miss USA pageant one year. (She also chaperoned the girls.) She could design and make anything she could envision.
Joyce will be missed by all who knew her. She was a ray of fun and sun in this world. She is preceded in death by both parents.
She leaves her husband, Robert Maehl, her daughters; Toni Lee (Tonya) Lescantz and Cindie Kalan-Green; her grandsons, Chad Green, Wesley Green, and Ethan Green & (Kellie Lorengo), great granddaughters, Lyndsey & (Joe) Stulc and Gavinn Green; her sister Judie Coleman, niece, Rhonda Gaddis and nephew, Darren Coleman, cousin John Domitrovich, her devoted best friend Sue Montgomery, who is an angel, and her favorite grandpuppy, Denali.
The funeral services will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 217 W Pennsylvania Ave, Anaconda, Friday, June 7 at 1:00 p.m. Military honors will be held immediately after at the church. A celebration of life will be held at the church with a luncheon. Bring your wonderful memories to share.
In lieu flowers, please make donations to the Anaconda American Legion, Post 21, 220 Cedar Street, Anaconda, MT 59711.
Mass of Christian Burial
JUN 7. 1:00 PM (MDT)
Holy Family Catholic Church217 W Pennsylvania AVe
Anaconda, MT 59711
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