Joy "Janice" Swenson

Joy “Janice” was a cherished daughter, born to Gertrude (Brock) Locke and Howard Locke on August 20, 1930, in Kettle Island, Kentucky, in a house built by her father and other family members. At age 5, she and her family moved to Middlesboro, Kentucky where she lived until graduation from Middlesboro High School.

Joy always loved music and became an accomplished pianist, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from Boston University. Joy taught music at a private school in Dallas, Texas then at a public elementary school in Highland Park, Illinois, for ten years. She was teaching there when she met George Swenson Jr. After their marriage in 1971, they lived in California briefly then lived together in Champaign, Illinois until George’s death in 2017. Their love of classical music was something they shared from the beginning of their relationship, and they enjoyed attending concerts together and listening to recorded music. Joy had a baby grand piano and gave private lessons in their home for many years. George was always charmed when listening to her skilled performances.

George was a professor of Electrical Engineering and Radio Astronomy at the University of Illinois and often traveled as part of his work. Joy and George traveled around the United States with many trips to their cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and to several countries, including Australia, Germany, Italy, Peru and the Soviet Union. One memorable trip was their honeymoon in Alaska, flying into the back country on a single-engine plane with George as pilot, landing on the Kobuk River and staying in a rustic cabin. Another exciting adventure was to Mineralnye Vode in what was then the Soviet Union. Both trips remained as vivid experiences throughout her life, perhaps influenced by repeated recounting by George. Joy always reacted as if hearing the stories for the first time.

Joy grew up with a well-loved extensive family in Kentucky. She treasured her visits back home which included seeing her mother Gertrude in her home surrounded by her beautiful artwork. Joy was especially fond of her cousin Gwen Sharp, who remained a valued friend throughout her life. Joy was proud to qualify for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. An ancestor on her father’s side of the family had been a patriot in the revolution.

In addition to her husband, Joy was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude and Howard, her brother and only sibling, Howard Locke Jr., and her three nephews: John, Steven and James. She is survived by Lynn Locke, Jim’s widow, her grandnephews, grandniece and their families, several cousins and other relatives. Joy is also survived by her stepchildren, George “Jud” Swenson (Mary Knight), Julie McQuain (John Carney) and Donna Jones (Mark Jones) and their children and grandchildren. Her stepdaughter Laura Swenson preceded her in death. Ward and Roseann Swenson, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, preceded her in death and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and spouses survived her.

Joy spent her last years as a resident of Meadowbrook Health Center in Urbana, Illinois. At Meadowbrook, Joy enjoyed dining and chatting with her circle of friends, craft classes, musical presentations, movies, Bible study and trivia games. Joy was often expressive in her sincere thanks to staff, to Gwen for always keeping in touch and sharing family news, to Mary and Jud for managing her care and to Donna and Mark for their regular visits, including visits with their gentle Great Dane Lucy, always a favorite with the residents.

Joy’s family wishes to extend their deep appreciation to the staff at Meadowbrook Health Center of Clark Lindsey for the care and compassion shown Joy throughout her time there and to both Meadowbrook and Traditions Hospice for their especially tender care of Joy during her last weeks of life. Joy died peacefully on December 26, 2025, and she remained a pleasant and lovely woman until the end.

Instead of donations, please take the time to listen to a favorite piece of music and think of Joy.

Funeral services will be offered by Shumate Funeral Home in Middlesboro, Kentucky and Joy will be buried at Green Hills Memorial Garden next to her parents and brother, as she wished.

Please join Joy's family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.