On Sept. 24, 1932, Joyce Ann Parker was born to the late Arthur and Helen Parker in Cleveland, Ohio.

Joyce attended Hood College where she received a bachelor’s degree in French studies. In her 20s, she studied nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was a devout Catholic and donor of many Catholic charities, including Right to Life and the Carmelite Sisters. She was a mother and homemaker, raising her three children and later enjoying her seven grandchildren.

Joyce was a world traveler who loved to experience life abroad living with her children in Australia, France and Germany for periods of time. An avid skier, she spent most winters in her later years in Colorado skiing up until the age of 85. In her 20s, she was part of a professional parachuting team and is considered to be the first female professional skydiver. She loved God’s creation in all its forms. She would send autumn leaves she collected in wax paper to her children, took thousands of photos of the views of the Adirondacks from her home on Evans Lane taking wonder in the majesty of God’s ever changing beauty. Joyce never took this precious life for granted. She was tremendously generous in deed, prayer and financial contributions to countless.

Joyce was a loving mother and grandmother and is survived by her children, Maggie Van Ert, Helen Evans and Hal Evans; and grandchildren, Mahalia, Olivia, Frederika, Harry, Ronan, Archer and Charlotte.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold S. Evans; mother, Helen Fitzgerald Parker; father, Arthur LaRue Parker; brothers, Patrick and Thomas Parker; and sister, Cynthia Matthews.

You have been “The Wind Beneath our Wings.” We love you and will miss you always.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 at the M. B. Clark, Inc., Funeral Home in Lake Placid. A Mass of Christin Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at St. Agnes Church in Lake Placid. The Rev. Philip Allen and the Rev. John Yonkovig will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Lake Placid.

Visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book and share a memory, upload a photograph or leave condolences to be added to the tribute book.