Joyce Ellen Morris-Matthews

Joyce Ellen Morris-Matthews passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on April 19, 2025 at the age of 81. She was a cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. Joyce was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on November 14, 1943 to Alice (Marshall) and Joseph Gentilini. She grew up in a loving home alongside her older sister Joann, and her early days were filled with nurturing her many pets, camping trips, and roasting marshmallows in the backyard fireplace. Church and holidays were especially important, and she loved the magic of Christmas Eve and the beauty of Easter. As a teen, Joyce loved school dances and Elvis Presley, and cherished spending time with her cousins and friends. Joyce and her first husband, Gary Morris, moved to Fort Collins in 1968, and Joyce quickly embraced it as her home. While raising their three children, she found time to pursue her artistic and creative endeavors. Joyce could play the piano by ear and sang in several choral groups throughout Fort Collins. She was an accomplished seamstress who made clothes, decorative items for the home, and many quilts. Joyce was also a fabulous gardener who could make any plant thrive. She loved all types of flowers, especially orchids and roses and her house was always filled with them. In 1980, Joyce became a hairstylist after graduating from Bernel’s School of Cosmetology in Old Town Fort Collins. She worked in several salons throughout her career, and many of her co-workers became her best friends. She cared for her clients with a compassion that went far beyond the task of hairstyling, and they became family to her. In 1990, a fellow hairstylist introduced her to Robert Matthews (Bob), and a perfect match was made. Joyce and Bob were married on September 3, 1994 and recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Meeting Bob was one of the best things that ever happened to Joyce and his love meant everything to her. They had many adventures together which included several trips throughout the U.S. and to their favorite beaches in Mexico. Their love will go on forever. Joyce’s three children, Barbara Steele (Charlie), Gary Morris (LeeAnn) and Janeen Treacy (Steve), were the beneficiaries of her great love, care and many sacrifices, and they will be eternally grateful for everything she gave them. She was a wonderful mother who stressed the importance of family and handled all of life’s challenges with resilience, strength, and grace. Joyce loved Bob’s children, Kari Mendenhall (Matt) and Susi Trujillo (Timothy), and they were a huge blessing and source of happiness in her life. Joyce’s grandchildren were especially important to her, and she loved each of them dearly. They will always remember her having tootsie rolls on hand, her love of vanilla ice cream, and trips to the Farm at Lee Martinez Park in Ft. Collins. Joyce’s grandchildren include Erin Steele Reisener (Matt), Michael Steele (Kristen), Lauren Treacy, Camryn Treacy, and Sparky Morris (Jenni). She also considered Bob’s grandchildren to be her own, and they include Sven Swanson, Ava Mendenhall, and Seth Mendenhall. A celebration of life will be held at the Bohlender Chapel on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., and she will be laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, or to Pathways of Northern Colorado.

Tributes

Joyce Ellen Morris-Matthews

November 14, 1943 - April 19, 2025