Joyce Ann Vassar Dean, 86, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, entered peacefully into Heaven's Gates at 10:50 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. She resided at the Broken Arrow Assisted Living Center for the past three years. Joyce was born on August 7, 1933, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to Wallace "Doty" Walker Vassar and Minnie Lou Bennett Vassar. She was raised in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, where she graduated from high school in 1951. Joyce married Norman Lee Dean on July 5, 1952, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. They had two children, Gayla Dean Nida of Broken Arrow, and Randy Dean of Kiefer. She worked as a loan officer at Community State Bank in West Tulsa and later worked for and retired from McLemore Insurance Agency. Joyce was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, and her loving husband, Norman Dean. Surviving family includes: Gayla Nida, daughter, and her husband Steve Nida of Broken Arrow, OK; Randy Dean, son, and his wife Cindy of Kiefer, OK; Paul Vassar, brother, of Pawhuska, OK; Bessie Lee Chick, sister, of Tulsa OK; grandchildren Marissa Fairbanks and her husband Mike Fairbanks, of Norman, OK; Kendra Krahenbuhl and her husband Sean Krahenbuhl, of Tulsa, OK; Lucas Dean of Tulsa, OK; Cason Dean and his wife Abelina Garcia Dean of Tulsa, OK; Travis Dean and his wife Kimberly Dean, of Jenks, OK; and Jennifer Mason and her husband Lee Mason, of Tulsa, OK. Great grandchildren include Nathaniel and Tyler Wilkins and Benjamin Fairbanks of Norman, OK; Elijah Krahenbuhl of Tulsa, OK; and, Isaac, Malen and Madilynn Mason of Tulsa, OK; Michael Vassar, nephew, of Guymon, OK; Terry Chick, nephew, of Tulsa, OK, and Tammy Dunning, niece, of Tulsa, OK.

A viewing will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2020, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and a chapel service will be held Monday, February 17, 2020, at 11:00 am, both at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 3612 East 91st Street South, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in loving memory of Joyce may be given to the Oklahoma Westie Rescue at okwestierescue.com.