BOMBER MEMORIAL

JOY CHRISTINE STANFIELD KESEL ~ Class of 1971
March 8, 1952 - January 31, 2006



~

Joy was born March 8, 1953. After a courageous battle with cancer, she departed on January 31, 2006.

She has been called "spunky, fiesty, strong and fierce", even in her final days. She was a fighter and a sweet, vivacious woman. She had a great love and respect for animals of all kinds. She took care of her dogs Hooker, Casey, Cali, and Dakota like they were her babies. She enjoyed bargain/treasure hunting at thrift stores and garage sales throughout the country. After taking care of her family's needs and cleaning the house, she spent her time reading, doing crossword puzzles and watching true crime. She collected books, plants, and friends. She spent many hours on the phone sith her daughter, Caroline, discussing the injustices in the world and how they might go about changing things for the better. Many letters and emails she sent and received have confirmed her fight in many causes. These causes range from animal cruelty, wrongful deaths, child mistreatment to Bosnia. She had great compassion for those in need and showed it throught her frequent generosity.

Joy enjoyed nature and spent a lot of time camping, hiking, and fishing. In her early twenties, she hitch-hiked across the United States with a girlfriend, safely arriving in New York City from Seattle. She became very experienced in the art of moving as Woody's profession took them to numerous states across the country. She adapted easily, was extremely organized, and managed to make any place feel like home within a day or two. Joy was an adventurous, loving, thoughtful, humerous, private, kind and warm person. Her unique character will never be forgotten. Love never dies.....

She is preceded in death by her loving father, Milo Stanfield, and her dear friend and brother-in-law, Phillip Petty.

She sadly leaves behind her husband, Woody Kesel ('67), children George Kesel and Caroline (Dave) Ashby, grandson Kyson, her mother LaBarbara and siblings Elaine ('64), Caroline ('66), Anita ('70), Laurene ('73), Louisa ('75), Janet, and Lynn.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer a donation to the Circle of Life Earlene Howard Hospice Home, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762