Saratoga Springs, NY - With a minimum of fuss and none of the usual preamble that would have allowed her family to prepare for it, Joy Warriner Pinnell of Galway, NY, moved on, on Saturday, February 19, to the place where all good Methodists go when they're done with the here and now.  Though sad at her departure, her family was not especially surprised that she left on her own terms – Joy was never one to let expectations get in the way of a good education, a fantastic career or a bit of fun.

Joy was born on the 15 ^th of July 1942 in Providence, Rhode Island, a state she misspelled on principle until 11 ^th grade because everyone knows that's not how you spell "road."  She eventually conformed – a rare concession for the indomitable Joy.

Joy was the oldest of three daughters born to a Methodist minister and his wife, who ultimately pulled off the rare parenting triumph of raising three successful, smart, independent girls at a time when demure and pretty were all that were really required. It should be noted that Joy was also pretty, but could only do a passable job as demure, even when absolutely necessary.

Told at a fairly young age by a hilariously misguided teacher that she wasn't smart enough to go to college, Pinnell (then Joy Warriner) naturally excelled and ultimately went to West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she majored in Home Economics.

In addition to her education, West Virginia Wesleyan College also introduced Joy to a husband-grade man, Jim Pinnell.  Their meeting was artfully contrived – Jim, the rare man on campus with a car, told a friend that the price for borrowing the car for a date was finding a date for him as well. In one such instance, Joy was that date. Magic happened. They became inseparable. Jim and Joy were happily married for nearly twenty years. It's good to have a car.

For the first eight years of their union, the Pinnell/Warriner collaboration focused on expanding its ranks (first Jenean, then Eric) while moving around the country – often at a disturbing pace. The family once moved to and from Florida so fast it almost did not give the state enough time to convince Joy how awful it really was. But it did. She never went back.

Reality intruded on the happy family when Jim developed emphysema, a disease that slowed the family's wanderings but did nothing to dim its resolve and pluck. Faced with a breadwinner-less future, Joy considered her options and decided, at Jim's urging, that she consider a career in computer science. It was an obvious fit for a homemaker schooled in nutrition.

Naturally, Joy excelled in the field, earning her Master's degree from Union College and a coveted job at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, a facility not known for hiring middle aged housewives. She would not admit to it, but she clearly relished the fact that most of her co-workers were cute, 20-something men. Even so, the attention of the newly widowed Joy somehow fell not to them, but to a much older, amiable widower, Bill Schilling, who wore a pocket protector for decades after they fell out of fashion.

After a few years of dating, the Pinnell/Schilling union became official. The couple promptly sold their houses and moved out to what is widely regarded as the nicest property in Galway, NY. There they enjoyed a grand, modern manor with views all the way to Vermont, the eight Saratoga thoroughbreds who lived next door, and a trio of chipmunks who will eat right out of your hand if you are the right sort of person. The property goes on the market this spring. Sure that's tacky, but remember, Joy didn't really play by the rules so why should her obit?

For 30 years, Joy and Bill enjoyed their time in the country. Joy took a daily three mile walk into town both because she had energy to burn and because she wanted to be one of those grandmas who had enough zip to play with her grand kids, Harrison, Meredith, James, Meghan and River. No grandma was ever happier to spend time on the floor than was Joy whenever her youngest grandchild, River, came over to play. If there is a tragedy in her passing, it is that these two did not get to spend more time together.

Joy was magic in the way only a grandma can be: she fixed boo boos with nothing more than a smile, she made parties spring out of nothing, and, with the careful application of M&Ms, she could make even a really bad nightmare go away.

Defying expectations once again, Joy had a notorious lead foot.  Her carpool, often terrified, referred to her as "4G Pinnell" while pinned back in their seats as she accelerated through yet another turn. The police never bothered ticketing her – it was just Joy and she obviously had places to go.

While in Galway, Joy learned to play bridge with an amiable and wine-loving group of regulars. It was a natural fit for Joy, coming from a home that didn't allow either cards or alcohol. It's possible that the Pinnell/Schilling team even won once or twice, which is a fact that we are not making up just because we know that no one ever challenges an obit. Happy times.

The Pinnell/Schilling union were lucky enough to be able to indulge in Around the World in 80 Days type travel -- to Machu Pichu, to Alaska and Hawaii, to Sydney, all through Europe, to Monaco, and high above southern Africa in a balloon of all things. But always they came back to Galway, where, waiting for Joy, would be both an actual cat and a cat book. No chapter of any "The Cat Who…" book ever went unread by Joy. They weren't great literature but they sure were fun.

When the demands of the atomic power lab, cat books and travel were at a low ebb, Joy loved nothing more than doting on her family.  A talented seamstress, she enthusiastically spent hundreds of hours making her daughter Jenean's wedding dress, finishing it just in time for her lovely wedding to Jeffrey Farmer.  She altered her son Eric's dress blues at least a half dozen times, including immediately before his fireworks-fueled wedding to bride Brittany Rouse. When the next generation was ready, she made an unending string of doll outfits, hats, scarves and etc, often for children in the community who might otherwise have gone without.

To celebrate Joy's extraordinarily well lived life, the family will hold a viewing this Saturday February 26 ^th 2022 from 4:00 – 7:00, with a memorial service at 4:30 at the William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes,  628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518-584-5373).

Memorial donations may be made in Joy's name to K9s for Warriors at k9sforwarriors.org

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com .