Alice Joy Bourne

Alice Joy Clark, "Joy" to family and friends, was born November 4, 1932 in Aberdeen, SD. Her parents were Clifford Louie and Hazel Theodora Fessenden Clark, both rural school teachers. A sister, Myrna, was added to the family in 1934. During the depression years, the family lived in South Dakota, sometimes in a tent, while Clifford became a salesman to provide for his family. Later in Joy’s childhood, with Clifford's job with the Jewel Tea Company requiring that they relocate, the family moved eastward to Onalaska, WI, to Pittsburg, PA, and then to Liverpool, NY. In Liverpool, as a teen in the church choir directed by her mother Hazel, Joy met her future husband, Clyfton Warren Bourne. Clyf had moved to the Syracuse area from his home in Massachusetts to accept a job at General Electric. Joy attended one year of college before she and Clyf married on her 19th birthday, November 4, 1951.

Joy and Clyf bought a small hobby farm on Avery Road in Lysander, NY, then began their family when Wendy Louise was born in 1953. Clyfton Warren Jr. ("Skip") arrived in 1956, while Clyf was working in Turkey at a military installation for GE. Later, Clyf was sent to Trinidad, and the little family joined him for a few years. After their return to Avery Road, Janet Elizabeth ("Beth"), Clark Nelson, and Thomas ("Tom") Goodell arrived in 1961, 1963, and 1965.

Joy and Clyf raised their family in the church, sowing the seeds of their Christian faith. Joy was musically gifted and instilled that gift in her children and community. She directed the Lysander United Methodist church choir, and the children sang from an early age. When they became old enough to play instruments, a family-and-friends summer band was started at their home. Joy also began substitute teaching at Cato-Meridian High School. This led to her returning to college, and she earned first her Bachelor's degree and then her Master's in Mathematics in 1967 from the State University of New York at Oswego. She began teaching high school math full time, and later taught computer science as the new field of study opened. During her time in college, she became interested in geology and the fossil record. Many family vacations centered around searching out locations to unearth fossils and minerals. Joy managed also to find time to use her many artistic and homemaking talents, including cake decorating, sewing her family's clothing, knitting and tatting, gardening, canning and preserving, baking, and painting.

In 1975, Clyf retired from GE and the family moved to Towanda, PA, to become proprietors of Crystal Springs Motel, previously owned by Joy's parents. Joy taught middle school and high school math in Towanda for several years, then eventually began teaching extension classes for Mansfield University and Penn State. As the children moved out, Joy and Clyf were able to further their interest in rocks and minerals, and were active in the local rock club, Che-Hanna, serving and teaching. They also became involved in the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies, where they both held various posts, Joy serving as president in 2000. They enjoyed attending conventions and workshops. Joy and Clyf became interested in cutting and faceting gem stones and making jewelry. In 2003, they sold the motel, but continued to live in their home in Towanda.

In December 2008, Clyf passed away quietly at home after bringing Joy safely home from a convention. Joy continued on at their home in Towanda alone for some months until her health failed to the point that she needed to be near family. She moved to live eventually with son Clark at 98 Colby Rd. in Danville, NH. In 2015, Joy moved to assisted living, and then six months later to the Meadows memory care unit at Edgewood, North Andover, MA, where she resided until her passing on June 29, 2018.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Hazel Clark, her sister Myrna (Richard) Southard, her husband Clyfton, and her granddaughter, Beth Anne Hughes Russo. She is survived by her daughter Wendy Bourne (Dave) Hughes, son Clyf (Cindy) Bourne, daughter Beth Bourne (Bill) Taylor, son Clark Bourne, and son Thomas Bourne (Tom Agostino). She is also survived by her grandchildren Jon (Maeghan) Hughes, Katy Bourne (Dave) Daiell, Becky Hughes (Bill) McGowan, Sam (Jacy) Bourne, Tyler (Amber) Bourne, Hillary Bourne (Kent) Pigeon, Kara Taylor (Eric) Foley, and Kaleigh Taylor (Cole) Fuchs, as well as sixteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial service and celebration of Joy’s life will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Danville Baptist Church at 226 Main St., Danville, NH 03819. A light luncheon at the church will follow, with opportunities to visit and reminisce. Please join the family in rejoicing Joy’s salvation, restoration, and reunion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club, c/o Patrica Benish, 9516 North Rome Rd., Athens PA 18810. Alternatively, memorials may be given to the Danville Baptist Church, 226 Main St., Danville, NH 03819.