Joyce E. Kilpatrick

JOYCE KILPATRICKMay 7, 1939 ˜ October 1, 2022 Joyce Kilpatrick, 83, passed away on Oct. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, WA. Joyce was born May 7, 1939, in Havre, Montana to Walter Blair Calvert and Violet Gertrude Shelstad. Joyce and her parents moved to Vancouver area early in life, where she was proudly raised as a true Vancouverite.Joyce went to school in Vancouver and graduated from Hudson Bay High School. Joyce continued her education and graduated from Clark College along side her mother. Joyce continued her education at Oregon State and was a life long Beaver. Joyce was a true Beaver, following both the football and baseball teams with a passion. Joyce continued her education at Portland State and received her Masters of Social Work.Joyce married Arlo Kilpatrick on Nov. 13, 1963, and were married 55 years until the passing of Arlo on Aug. 30, 2017. Joyce would say she was attracted to Arlo as he had a cool red convertible. Both Joyce and Arlo enjoyed sports cars, fast cars. Joyce and Arlo lived a full life by enjoying their time with friends and family, skiing, hiking, tennis, and fly fishing in Montana.Joyce's working years were spent in the non-profit sector with the Girl Scouts and YWCA of Clark County to name a few. As the Executive Director of the YWCA of Clark County, Joyce empowered her staff by providing opportunities, responsibilities, high expectations and support to utilize their gifts and talents to bloom and grow. Joyce excelled in identifying, recruiting and mentoring young women for the Board of Directors and other leadership positions. Many of these young woman who started this pathway became and continue to be dedicated leaders in our community. She was intuitive and wise in selecting women to serve the YWCA Clark County in specific roles needed for the ongoing operation and growth of the organizations, as well as special projects. Some of these projects include: starting a domestic violence shelter and building a new SafeChoice facility, and organizing a Capital Campaign for the "Miracle on Main Street", the current YWCA facility. Joyce worked with the NAACP and the community to form a YWCA Task Force focused on the mission to: Eliminate racism wherever it exists by any means necessary.Joyce has been recognized throughout the years for her accomplishments as a leader including the 1998 Clark College Iris Awards Honoring Women of Achievement in Clark County, the YWCA Women of Achievement, YWCA Val Joshua Racial Justice Award and as one of Clark County's Founding Mothers.Joyce was preceded in death by both her parents; husband, Arlo Kilpatrick; son, Scott Kilpatrick; and sister, Bette Lahy. Joyce is survived by her nephew, Zack Lahy; brother-in-law, Richard Lahy; and several cousins in the Calvert family. The number of people who considered Joyce as a friend, mentor and leader would fill countless pages. In leu of flowers, Joyce would be honored with donations to the YWCA of Clark County, Humane Society of Southwest Washington or the Ray Hickey Hospice House. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Ripple Space in the Hurley Building in Downtown Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Although Joyce is gone, her presence will live forever within our community.

Joyce E. Kilpatrick

May 7, 1939 - October 1, 2022