Joyce Ann Blick, 88, died January 6, 2022, surrounded by family at Hospice House, due to complications of a stroke that occurred December 29, 2021. Joyce was born June 18, 1933, in Douglass, the ninth of ten children born to George W. and Stella F. (Harmon) Smith.
Joyce spent her early years in Douglass, then attended high school in Winnemucca, NV. She also lived in Bishop, CA, and Las Vegas, NV, before settling down in Hutchinson for the remainder of her life. Joyce was a professional cosmetologist, but always felt her real job was as a wife and mother. A devout Catholic, she was a proud member of the Holy Cross Catholic Community and was a past president of the Holy Cross Altar Society.
Among the many things that will be missed are her quick smile with squinted eyes, infectious laugh, and keen wit. Joyce was honest to a fault and lacked any filter. She loved her family beyond reproach and attended any family function as possible.
Being raised poor, as a result of the depression, Joyce had a tendency to hoard things, such as plastic glasses from various motels. She was always “a little chilly”, even in 100° weather.
On January 4, 1969, Joyce married her husband and soulmate, Tom Blick, in Hutchinson. They shared 53 years of marriage. He survives of the home.
Also surviving are: sons, Joe Gabica (Ann) of Nevada, and Raymond Gabica of Macomb, IL; daughters Wendy Strange of Hutchinson and Tommiann Spencer (Wade) of Haven; grandson Chris Gabica of Sparks, NV, granddaughter, Katie Brown of Wichita, granddaughter, Kennedi Smith of Dallas, TX, grandson, TJ Powell of Hutchinson; step-granddaughter, Abby Baird (Zack) of Olathe, step-granddaughter, Ashley Gitchell (Brian) of Nickerson; great-grandson, Byron Gabica and great-granddaughter, Jillian Gabica of Richland, WA, great-granddaughters, Natalie and Samantha Gabica of Sparks, NV; step-great-grandsons, Jameson Baird and Carter Baird of Olathe, Cale Gitchell of Nickerson; and numerous extended family members.
She was preceded in death by: by her parents; all of her siblings; grandson, Daniel Gabica; and great-granddaughter, Madilyn Gabica of Richland, WA.
Parish Rosary will be 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 10, 2022, and Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2022, both at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Rd., Hutchinson. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends following the Rosary at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church or Trinity Jr./Sr. High School, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.