Barbara Joyce Leuckel

Joyce Leuckel, 77, long-time resident of Mercer Island, Washington, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Hospice House in Bellingham, Washington following a brief battle with lymphoma.

She was born in Puxico, Missouri on October 2, 1937 to Eldon and Gladys Reasons. Her parents and brother, Ray, preceded her in death.

Surviving are her beloved husband, David “Buster” Leuckel, of Lynden, WA; daughter Melissa Milburn, of Mercer Island, WA; and sons David Leuckel, Jr. and Shawn Leuckel, both from Seattle, WA; as well as three wonderful grandsons, Christopher and Connor Leuckel and Riley Milburn, all of whom she loved dearly. She is also survived by her brother, Stan Reasons, of St. Louis, MO. The Leuckel family was a member of St. Monica’s Church on Mercer Island.

As a child, Joyce grew up on a farm and attended grades 1-8 in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Puxico High School in 1955. At age 19, she married Buster Leuckel at Sacred Heart Church in Poplar Bluff, MO. They lived in Arkansas, Missouri, and Nebraska before moving their family to Mercer Island in 1972.

After retirement, Joyce and Buster moved to Lynden, where she was a member of the garden club, and volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce.

Joyce was a kind, loving friend to everyone she knew and lived a life respecting all people, never judging anyone. Kids on Mercer Island described her as their “second mom”. She was honored as “Citizen of the Year” on Mercer Island in the late 70’s. Her devotion to family and friends defined her extraordinary, loving life.

Some of her hobbies and activities included cooking, gardening, tennis, golf, biking, skiing, and travelling with Buster to beautiful cities throughout the world.

Joyce was remembered in a private, family mass, but no memorial service will be held at her request. The family suggests donations in her name to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospice Foundation in Bellingham, the Lymphoma Research Foundation or a charitable organization of your choice.