Joanna (Joy) Marie Anderson (nee Kallio), age 82, of The Villages, FL, passed away on her 56th Wedding Anniversary, June 10, 2017, at the Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida. Formerly, Joy was a lifelong Chicagoland resident, most recently in Vernon Hills.
Joy was born November 21, 1934, in Chicago, to William and Marie Kallio. She grew up in Chicago with strong ties to the Finnish Lutheran Church and Portage Park Grammar School. She graduated from Carl Schurz Public High School at age 16. After attending some college at Wittenberg University and the University of Illinois, she began a career in advertising at The Toni Company; Foote, Cone & Belding; and the Wisconsin Water Power & Paper Company.
Joy met the love of her life, Jon R Anderson, in Chicago’s Olde Town in September of 1960 and they married June 10, 1961. After her sons were born, she devoted herself to them as a full-time mother and continued her pursuit of a college education. At the age of 39, Joy proudly earned her degree in Special Education. She then built a second career as a learning disabilities teacher in the Mundelein, IL school district.
Joy retired in 1992 to pursue a third career as a learning disabilities consultant, but it was not to be. She suffered a severe stroke September 1, 1992, and spent time at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Upon release, she and Jon continued to travel, eventually visiting 35 countries and all 50 states. Their international travel was split between trips on their own and as members of Friendship Force International. When travel became more difficult, Joy and Jon became snowbirds and eventually full-time residents of The Villages.
Joy loved her old friends and enjoyed making new ones. Some of her activities included a 40-year-strong book club, 25 years with Friendship Force of Northern Illinois, a storytelling club, a small parish group at Christ Church Lake Forest (CCLF), and the Bird Watchers, a social ladies group. In The Villages, Joy was an active member of the Chicagoland Club, Michigan Yooper Club, Stroke Support Club, Virginia Trace Club, and the Foreign Travel Club. Joy was led to membership at Christ Church Lake Forest by her son Mark. It was here that Joy strengthened her belief in and her commitment to Jesus Christ. She also attended North Lake Presbyterian Church in the Villages.
Joy’s favorite activities, though, were taking her grandchildren on field trips and playing games with them. She was “Grammy” and they treasured and loved everything about her. Favorite destinations included the Lincoln Park Zoo, The Art Institute, Chicago Botanic Gardens, and any street fair or art show, and small local museums. She particularly liked to ride her bike along the “rocks” on Chicago’s lakeshore.
Joy is survived by Jon, her husband of exactly 56 years, her two sons and daughters-in-law, Gregg & Pam and Mark & Catherine, and her 5 grandchildren, John (Jack), Ellen, Grace, Joseph, and Jonathan. She is also survived by her sister and best friend, Greta Nagel Doll, of Fullerton, CA and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Joy is preceded in death by her parents, William and Marie Kallio, and by her dear sister, Karina Kallio Kaulfuss.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, from 1 – 2 .pm. with a funeral service to follow at 2 p.m., located at Hiers-Baxley Funeral and Cremation, 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, Florida 32162.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lady Lake Historical Society and Museum, www.ladylakemuseum.org.
“Too-Da-Loo, Lots of Love!”
