NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Joy Ruzicka was born on July 9, 1958, in Lincoln, Nebraska, the first of six siblings.

She passed away on Dec. 31, 2019, in Roseville, California, after an eight-month battle with anaplastic carcinoma, an aggressive and fast-growing cancer.

The Ruzicka family moved to Lakeport in the fall of 1965. Joy attended Lakeport schools beginning in the second grade, where she made friends that have lasted her lifetime. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1976. Joy was very involved in music throughout school, participating in chorus and playing the clarinet in band.

She attended college at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln where she studied Russian literature. With her beautiful smile and happy personality, Joy made many college friends.

Joy returned to California in the early 1980s, moving to Santa Rosa. She enjoyed music and concerts in Sonoma County with her numerous friends.

In the late 80s, Joy attended and graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Joy worked in the San Francisco/Bay Area for many years as a pastry chef.

Joy’s first daughter, Allegria was born in 1992 and her second daughter, Avalon, joined the family in 1995. Joy was happiest being a mother to her two daughters for the last 27 years.

In 1995, Joy was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure). She waited on the organ transplant list for over five years before she received a kidney in 2003 from Adam, a young man who lost his life in a motorcycle accident. Her kidney worked wonderfully for 16 and a half years, much longer than anticipated.

Unfortunately, the immunosuppressant drugs that she took daily to prevent rejection of the organ, suppressed her immune system making Joy especially susceptible to cancer and other diseases. Joy managed her health issues with strength and stoicism.

Upon her passing, Joy was able to donate her corneas to someone in need. It was a wonderful consolation to her daughters and family that Joy could still be an organ donor after her illness. She believed strongly in giving the gift of life.

Besides being a mother, Joy loved to garden and camp. Her flower gardens rivaled those of her grandmas. She also loved music and dancing. And she could always be found in a rocking chair. She even had a rocking camping chair!

Joy is survived by her daughters, Allegria and Avalon Ruzicka, of Los Angeles, California. She is also survived by her mother, Marie (Hospodka) Blanche of Verdigre, Nebraska; father and stepmother, Clifford and Nancy Ruzicka of Lakeport; siblings, Jon Ruzicka, Jim Ruzicka, Jill Ruzicka and Mark Ruzicka; her nephews, Oliver and Philip Leighton, and Mark Brayden Ruzicka; and her niece, Nancy Alejandra Ruzicka.

She is preceded in death by her younger sister, Marla Ruzicka, and stepfather, Dr. Robert J. Blanche.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m. at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary located at 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, followed by a reception. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple, Joy’s favorite color.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .