Joyce Crain passed away on Dec. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Washington, from metastatic cancer. Joyce was born May 13, 1945, in Seattle, Washington, to Walter and Ruby Knudsen. Joyce has been a resident of Auburn since 1978, where she and her husband opened an eye clinic on Harvey Road. For the last 25 years, she and her husband have maintained a second residence on San Juan Island, Washington, where they operate a satellite clinic in Friday Harbor.

Joyce studied art at the University of Washington in the 1960s and has had her hand in the arts while also supporting the eye clinics, raising two sons and earning a Master of Arts in theology from Fuller Seminary in her early 40s. She was a superbly gifted visual artist with a keen eye for appreciating the truth, goodness, and beauty of God’s creation. She shared that awareness through her marvelously creative landscapes and floral representations. Her work has been represented by galleries in the Seattle area and on San Juan Island. Her paintings have also been popularly received by numerous visitors to the San Juans through her greeting cards offered at Friday Harbor businesses.

A vital part of Joyce’s life has been her strong faith and belief in God. Her prayer and devotional life was centered squarely on the person of Jesus Christ. Each day, she began her devotional time with Psalms 19:12-14, which concludes with, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer”. Joyce was a member of St. Francis church in Friday Harbor.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Brian, whom she met at the University of Washington. They married on Sept. 24, 1966. She leaves her son Sean; son Aaron and his wife Triffina and their children John, Rachel, and Henry; her brother, Gerald Knudsen; and three nephews.

We know Joyce has promptly set up her easel in that special room prepared for her by God, and is passionately painting the heavenly wonders that are appearing before her eyes.

Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn. A memorial mass will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Friday Harbor on Monday, January 25 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis church.