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SHASKI -- Joye Williams Shaski passed away on Monday, September 7, 2009 at the Presbyterian Kaseman Hospice after a long battle with cancer. Joye Lou Williams was born to Curtis and Mary V. Williams on June 17, 1941 in Farmington, where she attended school. After finishing high school in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she attended the University of New Mexico, and shortly after graduating, she was married to John, whom she had met at UNM. His career in the U.S. Air Force and later with Corning Glass took the Shaskis' to Southern California, West Virginia, and ultimately to Madison Connecticut, where they raised two sons, Brian and John Curtis, known as J.C. A dedicated middle school teacher for more than 30 years, Joye earned a Master's degree in special education, which then became her primary focus. Throughout her career, she remained passionately committed to her students, with a stamina and unwavering commitment to excellence that became the hallmarks of Joye's teaching style, as in all other areas of her life. After retiring from teaching, Joye owned and operated a travel agency in Vermillion Ohio for five years. Soon after returning to New Mexico in 1999, where she and John had planned to spend their retirement years, he died suddenly in 2003. Joye decided to remain in Albuquerque, where she lovingly cared for her mother Mary V. until the latter's death earlier this year. Fascinated with the Southwest and its peoples, cultures, and landscapes, Joye attended OASIS classes to expanded her knowledge of the region. Rejecting idleness, she became an active alumna of the Gamma Beta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, serving on the KKG House Corporation Board. At the same time, Joye served as president of the board of her neighborhood association and volunteered at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where her knowledge, energy and charm quickly earned her a special place in the hearts of her colleagues. Joye's unmistakable voice, her sharp wit and keen sense of irony and absurdity will be long remembered by all who knew her. This past summer, as Joye's illness worsened, her friends at the IPCC created a senbazuru-one thousand origami paper cranes held together by strings--believed to be a powerful talisman of luck and benevolence. According to the ancient Japanese legend, anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, a symbol of especially potent magic, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. Once it became known that a senbazuru was being made for Joye, many people who knew her in other venues eagerly took part in this tribute to their friend. The multicolored senbazuru brightened her home and heart and was a constant reminder of the many friends who cared so deeply for Joye. In addition to her sons, Joye is survived by her brother, Milton Williams of Cheyenne, and two grandchildren, Brigid and Braan. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 14, 2009 at 5 p.m. at the French Mortuary, Westside Chapel with reception to follow. Interment is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Brian and J.C. wish to thank the Kaseman Hospice program and Joye's many friends whose love and care made her final months easier. The family suggests that those wishing to commemorate Joye make donations to their favorite charity in her memory. Please visit our online guest book for Joye at RememberTheirStory.com . French 9300 Golf Course Road (505) 897-0300
        Published on: Sun September 13, 2009