Steward, Joyce Elinor Stribling
Ellensburg, WA
Joyce Elinor Stribling Steward, age 87, died on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, at the Kittitas Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ellensburg, Wash. Joyce now born Jan. 16, 1917, in Paton, Iowa, to Oscar Burdell and Hattie May (Jones) Stribling. She attended Paton public schools; Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.; Iowa University, Iowa City; and Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, from which she graduated in 1938. She received her Master of Arts degree from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1951. From 1951 to 1964, Joyce taught English at West High School, Madison. She spent the 1961-1962 academic year at Yale University on a John Hay Fellowship. From 1964 until 1966, Joyce served as chair of the English department at Lafollette High School, also in Madison. In 1966, she joined the U.W.-Madison English department where she taught composition and an innovative women in literature course, and managed the university’s writing laboratory. She authored numerous English textbooks and now active in several professional organizations, notably the National Council of Teachers of English. She retired from the University of Wisconsin in 1982 and moved to Port Madison on Bainbridge Island, Wash., where she continued to write, co-authoring a book for elder writers and lecturing through a program of the Washington Commission for the Humanities. In 1999, Joyce moved to Ellensburg, Wash. to be close to family. During her eighties, she published a book of her poetry and taught classes for senior citizens. Joyce is survived by a son, Chuck (Peggy) Steward of Ellensburg; a grandson, Derek (Kerry) Steward; great-granddaughter, McKenzie Steward; and great-grandson, Cabot Steward, all of Seattle. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Ellensburg Public Library, 209 N. Ruby, Ellensburg, WA 98926, or the Bainbridge Island Public Library, 1270 Madison N., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. A private family memorial service is planned. Burial will take place on Bainbridge Island. Steward & Williams Tribute Center of Ellensburg, Wash. is in charge of arrangements.