Joyce Maude Palko

Joyce Maude Palko, age 83, of Ferndale joined her son and met her heavenly Father, Thursday, January 30, 2014 at the Whatcom Hospice House of Bellingham. She was born February 24, 1930 in St. Boniface, Manitoba, Canada to Sidney Mark and Joyce (Macedon) Cooksey. She moved with her mother around age of 3 to Vancouver, B.C. where she spent her childhood camping at Stanley Park and swimming at Horseshoe Bay. Joyce immigrated to the United States in 1948 where she had a chance to travel. After meeting the love of her life in Albuquerque, New Mexico she married Robert M. Palko on September 24, 1955 in Phillips, Wisconsin. The couple eventually settled down in Janesville, Wisconsin where they adopted a son and daughter. Joyce was a talented gardener who enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers. In 1979 the family moved to Ferndale, Washington to be closer to her mother. On Sept 30, 1983 she found herself divorced and spent the next several years picking up the pieces of her life. Joyce had always had a strong love of God and after spending many years in the LDS Church she rededicated her life in 1991and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Ferndale. Her faith was a great comfort for her through the many health issues she faced in the last years of her life. Donations in her name will go to the support of her church family. Joyce lived life with an uncompromising standard. She knew how she wanted things and ordered her days accordingly. Joyce was an avid reader and enjoyed having visitors. She had a deep love of family and her dog Queenie. Joyce was preceded in death by her son Gregory M. Palko of Ferndale and her mother and father. She leaves behind her daughter Melissa and (Donovan) Sessions, and three grandchildren, Brandon Sessions of Custer, Charlotte Sessions and Aaron Sessions both of Blaine.