Joyce Jacobsen Toohey, 86, passed away at her home in Whitefish on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, surrounded by her family.

She was born on Sept. 15, 1927, in Deer Lodge to Lois and Clarence Shea. Joyce grew up in Butte where she attended school.

On Jan. 15, 1949, she married her high school sweetheart in Butte, William B. Toohey. Together they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage and family life. Their education and career opportunities took them to Eugene, Oregon, Missoula, Omaha, Nebraska, Cheyenne, Wyoming and Salt Lake City, where they settled to raise their family of three daughters.

Joyce loved spending time in the out-of-doors enjoying nature in her yard, family cabin gatherings in Midway, Utah, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing at Alta, gardening and recreating in all her travels. At home she enjoyed writing and was an avid reader. She had a passion for learning throughout her life. She was a founding member, along with her husband Bill, of the Unity Church in Salt Lake City where they made many lasting friendships.

Joyce especially enjoyed her time as a volunteer with the Salt Lake Assistance League where she gave endless hours to Charity’s Thrift House. She was a collector at heart and so enjoyed her time there and the many friends she made. Another highlight in Joyce’s life were the years she spent skiing and working on the mountain in the Goldminer’s Daughter at Alta Ski resort in Utah.

Joyce fell in love with Whitefish as a young woman when she traveled with the Butte Ski Club to Big Mountain to compete in a ski race in 1947. Her father, Arnold Jacobsen, chaperoned the trip and also fell in love with the Whitefish area. Eventually Arnold and his wife Lois relocated from Butte to Whitefish where they owned and operated Win-na-kee Cottages for many years. Many generations of family gathered to enjoy reunions of endless hours on the lake. Joyce cherished her family and was the heart of all our fun.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Lois Jacobsen; her husband’s parents, William and Montana Toohey; her brother, Eugene Jacobsen; her sister, Billie Thompson; her grandson, Ben McCarthy; and son in law, Morton McCarthy.

She is survived by her husband William B. Toohey, her daughter Linda McCarthy and family, her daughter and son-in-law Paul and Debbie Biolo and family, and her daughter Christy Toohey and family, all residing in Whitefish. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Fran Jacobsen of Kalispell; and her sister Arlene Neuman and family of Albany, Oregon. Joyce leaves eight loving grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Her positive, inquisitive nature will encourage the lives of all who knew and loved her, and all of us who were fortunate enough to experience her unconditional love.

Cremation has taken place.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Mom’s favorite charities, Whitefish Soroptomist, Flathead Industries or the Assistance League in Salt Lake City.

Austin Funeral Home is caring for Joyce’s family.