Joy Joan Finn

Eulogy for Joy Joan Finn Joy Finn lived independently up to her 84th birthday this past January 26, 2011, and we should celebrate a life well-lived. Born in Muncie, Indiana, Joy grew up in Indianapolis with her younger brother Richard Shores otherwise affectionately known as “Uncle Dick.” While mom listed her occupation as housewife, in reality she was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a wife and a sister. Her family was her world and she left behind a legacy of strong, independent and educated children:  Michael David Finn  Pamela J. Lee  Theresa Marie Brandon  Mark Andrew Finn Joy had many interests including reading and the education of her children, music and dancing, gardening, and sewing which both defined and linked her to her family and community. Over the years, mom demonstrated her talent for sewing by making clothes for her daughters to include a beautiful wedding dress for Pam with hand-sewn beads. She has crocheted beautiful baby blankets and booties for many of the 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, as well as other friends of the family and neighbors. Following the example set by her mother, Frances Shores, Joy knitted hats for donation to the Wheeler Mission Ministries. Joy would knit hats throughout the year and then purchase a large bag of warm socks. In November, she would take them, along with a check to the Mission, because she believed the homeless would appreciate having something warm on their head and feet against the cold. It was her skills at creating beautiful, clever, and practical pieces of clothing that became the common thread in the lives she touched. Joy was known to have a love of music across many genres from the “Sounds of Silence” to Peter, Paul and Mary to Sibelius and Shostakovich. The Finn household hosted music by many of the children and their friends from Pam’s folk guitar to the beat of drums by Mark, to the high-pitched notes from Theresa’s flute and piccolo. Anyone who had the opportunity to witness Joy and her husband Hank on the dance floor would agree they could out-perform Fred and Ginger any day. She began tap dancing lessons as a child and even at age of 79 she enrolled in an adult tap class. She would have been a Rockette had she been tall enough; however, while in the hospital she demonstrated her tap steps to staff to great ovation. Her dance interest was passed onto Michael, and her musical appreciation was shared with all of the children. Even the members of the senior community were well aware of her love of music as she shared with all. Despite their meager beginnings early in their marriage, none of her children ever wanted for food, clothing, or proper healthcare. As shown in the film footage of past Christmastimes, mom and dad showered all of us with many gifts and a lot credit was due to mom’s creativity in stretching the budget. Mom’s relationship with her children was quite special. She was very proud of her firstborn, Michael David, and the fact that he was the first family member to go to college. In fact, all of her children possess some type of advanced education. Mom always marveled at how Pam, who as a teenager always had the messiest room, became the consummate homemaker raising 2 wonderful sons Jason and Andrew. Mom was quite impressed with Pam’s self-sufficiency with her gardening and canning. Pam’s graduation at the top of her class for medical assistant was not a surprise to mom. In fact, the medical skills that Pam learned became extremely valuable in the care for our mother for which we are grateful. Mom immersed herself in Theresa’s musical education, driving her to many rehearsals and contests throughout the City of Indianapolis. She served on committees along with other parents and totally enjoyed the experiences that she did not have in her life. Mom wanted to learn the trumpet as a young girl, but did not have the support of her parents; therefore, this shared experienced with Theresa became the foundation of many shared moments that will be treasured. One time, Herbie Mann, a jazz flautist, came to town to perform at the Art Museum off of 38th Street. Mom got tickets for us thinking it would just be a typical concert. Remember now, this was in the early 1970s with a hip kind of crowd and she was trying to help Theresa have a different kind of musical experience. Little did she know that the funny smell was “wacky weed” and hurried to cover Theresa’s eyes when someone decided to relieve themselves in front of the car just as mom turned on the headlights. Joy was an ardent fan whether it was from the stands of the football stadium watching the Northwest High School Marching Band or in the audience shredding Kleenex with nervousness watching her young daughter perform as a soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Mom was most proud of Theresa’s service in the US Marine Band and enjoyed the many stories and adventures over the years. Mark was mom’s baby because he is the youngest child. One year mom made him a Batman outfit complete with a hooded cape and pointy ears. Mom worked side-by-side with Mark and provided extraordinary effort in helping him work through his dyslexia at a young age. He went on to complete his 4-year business degree and today Mark serves as the Terminal Manager of Martin Transportation Systems. Mark shares his gratitude for her dedication to helping him and later to his 2 sons, Dieter and Christian, by providing for their care. Joy became a mother-in-residence to all kids in the neighborhood. This neighborhood extended well beyond the confines of our home to include 2 young girls - Margo Haley Brown and Cindy Zadoorian Hamburger - who became best and lifelong friends of Theresa. Joy embraced them both as her adopted daughters and a part of the extended family. Throughout mom’s life, she demonstrated a desire to be independent. When she was a young girl, she struck out on her own and traveled by bus to California. During her mid-40’s she applied for a job at Joann Fabrics which was perfect for the skill sets she possessed. After becoming widowed, mom took some bus trips with Bob Jones, a neighbor from Eagledale area and a high school classmate of mom and dads from Washington High School. We are very grateful to Bob who provided a pleasant distraction for mom by escorting her to dinner theaters, wandering around Barnes and Noble while enjoying a Star Bucks, and then taking her shopping. The single constant that defined mother’s mission in life and her greatest joy and pride were the 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren that graced her life:  David Leland Finn  Jason Charles Lee  Gretchen Marie Paulson  Andrew Benjamin Lee  Dieter J. Finn  Christian Patrick Finn  Leland Paul Finn  Cooper J. Paulson  Carter Andrew Lee  Madeline Joy Paulson Joy left behind a legacy of well-loved children and many happy memories of special moments to remember her by. Let us cherish her memory and celebrate a life well-lived by being glad to have had Joy in our lives and wish her eternal peace as she is surely now re-joined with Hank and are dancing across the stars in heaven.