Joy Nadine Arnall Donovan York

Joy Nadine Arnall Donovan York died Jan. 11, 2018 surrounded by family in Tulsa. The older child of Catherine Christopher Arnall and Henry Olan Arnall, Sr., Joy was born Oct. 18, 1931 in Henryetta, OK. She, her brother, Henry Olan Arnall, Jr., and their parents lived at the end of the road in Kiamichi, surrounded by trees, a pond and a mountain. To get to school every day, she had to ride a horse, cross a river and walk. She graduated valedictorian of Albion High School. She earned a home economics degree in three years from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, while working full-time for room and board. She moved to Tulsa to work for Public Service as a home economist, demonstrating the new electric ranges. When she had her eyes examined by Dr. John M. Donovan, he offered her a ride home. The bachelor proposed on the second date, and he later said he knew immediately he wanted Joy to be the mother of his children. They were married June 12, 1954 at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. "JMac" introduced her to a life of fun and friends. They had four children in five and-a-half years, and her career switched to shuttling children to baseball, scouts, cheerleading, dance, choir and church. Birthday parties were elaborate. Teachers received home-made fudge for Christmas. Later, with four children still at home, she began teaching home economics and English part-time at Monte Casino and earned her master's degree at the University of Tulsa. She changed careers, working in food service before becoming a Realtor who sold houses through 2017. JMac died in 1993. She later married a widowed friend, Burl York, who was a great and kind companion until his death. Garden clubs, Home Economics clubs and Boston Avenue Sunday School remained active interests, but her focus was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Small in stature, but mighty in determination and sense of right, she was the matriarch. She is survived by four children Joy Marie Donovan Brandon (Dan), John Arnall Donovan, James Michael Donovan and Julia Ann Donovan (Bob Hood); nieces Deborah Arnall Barber and Sue Ann Arnall; nephew Henry Olan Arnall III; grandchildren Sarah Brandon, Katie Torres, Hayden Daniels, Meg Garman, Claire Brandon, Kevin Hood, Lindsay Duncan, Elizabeth Hood, Jack Donovan and Patrick Hood; great-grandchildren Brandon Torres, Scarlett Garman, Piper Torres, Maisie Duncan and Stacy Daniels Viewing 9 to 5 and visitation 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 Moore's Rosewood Chapel 2570 S. Harvard Ave., Tulsa Memorial Service 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 Boston Avenue United Methodist Church 1301 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa The family requests memorials be made to Boston Avenue United Methodist Church or Meals on Wheels of Tulsa.

Joy Nadine Arnall Donovan York

October 18, 1931 - January 11, 2018