Joyce Marie Mahr passed away on Oct. 12, 2023, with her family by her side. A brave woman that chose her perfect ending to her battle with pancreatic cancer.
Joyce was born to Burt and Mina May McMullen on Sept. 11, 1953. She was born and raised in Philomath, Oregon. She and Rodney Mahr married and became partners in life on April 30, 1977.
Joyce and Rodney moved to Alsea, Oregon, to raise their three sons: Dan Mahr, Bill Mahr and Todd Mahr.
Joyce was a homemaker while her children were young, then worked for Benton County Parks Department for several years. She then landed her dream job, a fish hatchery technician at the Alsea Fish Hatchery, where she made lifelong friends. She later transferred to the Fall Creek Fish Hatchery; later to become the Hatchery Research Center.
Joyce was a loving wife and a great mother. If we (the boys) needed a whooping, she whooped the hell out of us. If we needed loving, she loved the hell out of us.
Joyce leaves behind husband, Rodney Mahr, and children, Dan Mahr, Bill Mahr and Todd Mahr. She had one granddaughter, Jasmine Vanderford, and several other grandchildren that carry her last name: Wesson Mahr, Adam Mahr, Kaleb Mahr, Nathan Mahr and Tayte Mahr.
Her last lesson
Joyce loved life and loved family.
She had an opinion and was not afraid to share it even during her passing. She gave family the best and last lesson. She in her absolute and unwavering decision decided to spend her last days at home in Mitchell, Oregon, rather than spending them in a hospital. Selfishly, the family tried to talk her into other options, but she would not waver.
During her last days she was able to watch her birds from her front porch and have conversations with family. Her last demand was that her family was around her when she passed. We (Rodney, Dan, Bill and Todd) made her perfect ending by being by her side as she passed.
Joyce’s love for God and her faith give her family comfort that she will be waiting for us when our time comes. It turns out that her decision to go home and pass was best for family, too.
Prineville Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and a service will be at a later date in Alsea, Oregon.