Joy E. Watkins

Joy E Watkins of Orrtanna, PA was called home by her heavenly father on Saturday, December 19, 2020.  Joy is lovingly survived by her husband Ronald Watkins with whom she would have celebrated her 53rd wedding anniversary on December 23rd.  She is also survived by her loving brother Dale Curfman of Three Springs, PA whom she shared a wonderful relationship.  Joy is also survived by her three devoted sons and their spouses to whom Joy was a wonderful “second mom”:  Sean and Jennifer Watkins of Auburn, ME, Bryan and Erin Watkins of Abbottstown, PA, and Todd and Valbona Watkins of Staten Island, NY.  Joy’s pride and treasure were her 9 grandchildren; Josh, Cooper, Ethan, Lillyann, Noah, Luke, Dea, Emma and Bryson.

Joy was born on September 10, 1947 in Roaring Springs, PA. She was predeceased by her parents, Ruth and Melvin Curfman and her brother, Max Curfman.  We have no doubt Joy is in the loving arms of her parents and brother in Heaven.  Joy was raised on her family’s farm in Three Springs, PA.  It instilled in her the importance of family and hard work.  She graduated from Southern Huntingdon High School where she met her future husband and they married on December 23, 1967 while Ron was on leave from the Navy.  Joy lived with her parents while Ron served in the Navy.  Upon Ron’s discharge, they moved to York, PA where they began their family.  They eventually settled in Orrtanna, PA where they raised three boys in their log cabin.  Joy and Ron worked multiple jobs as their young family grew up, ensuring they were able to provide the best possible childhood for their boys.  Joy worked at South Mountain Restoration Center for 35 years before retiring in 2009.  

Joy was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  She loved retirement and made the absolute most of it.  She was active in her church, teaching Sunday school and leading Vacation Bible School for many summers alongside Ron.  All of her grandchildren knew her love of the Lord and got to enjoy Vacation Bible School with her many times.  Joy was also active in many different groups, including the Cumberland County Farm Womens Group, Lions Club, Boy Scouts, and Goldwing Roadriders Association.  Joy also attended every possible activity she could that her grandchildren were involved in.  Joy loved attending her grandsons’ football and soccer games and she was not shy about yelling her support for her favorite players or marching band drummer.  She attended her granddaughters’ dance recitals and cheering competitions, traveling to NY, Maine and Florida for them.  She also relished in the qu iet times with her grandchildren, reading to them or singing to them.  Joy and Ron wanted to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with all three sons and their families and treated them all to a cruise in 2017.  Their generosity gave the family the opportunity to create wonderful memories with each other that they all cherish.  Anyone who knew Joy knew her first priority was always her family.  Joy and Ron also enjoyed their time in Florida during the winter months with their Oakwood Estate friends.  Joy enjoyed playing shuffleboard and event planning with the ladies at the park. Joy and Ron were often hard to track down because they were so busy with their different park activities, attending estate sales, and exploring Florida on many day trips.  Joy loved her 50’s music and they could often be found at the various fairs across Florida enjoying music.  Joy was a collector of Longaberger, once being a very successful sales consultant herself.  She also avidly collected Boyds Bears, Department 56, Snowbabies and loved the Victorian style of decorating.  She and Ron built a new house down the road from their log cabin in 1999 and she made it a home with all of her very special touches and décor.   The house was way bigger than they needed for just her and Ron, but her dream was to have a home that was big enough to host all of her family any time she wanted.  The family enjoyed many sleepovers there and “feasts” as her one grandson would call them, at their very large custom made dining room table.  

Joy will be missed immensely by all of her family and friends and words cannot describe the depth of the loss with her passing.  She will live on through her family.  She was loved by so many and she loved them all back with “joy” in her heart and you could feel it when she gave you one of her famous hugs.  Her mother and father graced her with the perfect name and she personified it.

A celebration of life will be held for Joy in the Spring or Summer when restrictions on gatherings are lessened.  Joy loved that time of year, enjoying the flowers those seasons bring them.  We look forward to the opportunity to gather with family and friends at that time to share the love of our beloved Joy.

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