Joyce has lived in many different locations throughout her life, the farthest away being Cote d'Ivoire, Africa, where she spent five years of her retired life serving in the Volunteer Missionary Service Program for the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

Joyce was born in Colton, California, to Nancy and Julius Young and was their only child. She graduated from nursing school in Fresno, California, in 1958, where she met and married Hans Knaak. They were married for 18 years and had two children, Erich F. Knaak and Heide A. Knaak. She later married Dan Philbrook. She worked all the while as a nurse in the operating room, and finally found her true love in the maternity ward. She has helped bring life and care to thousands of babies in the United States. She was preceded in death by Dan Philbrook before moving to Oregon.

After retiring from nursing in the mid '90s, she devoted five years of her life to the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) in Cote d'Ivoire, Africa. There she trained midwives and village women in health care and medical techniques and the importance of sanitation in child birth. The primitive conditions required her to deliver babies on her lawn, on the ground, under the village shade tree, and in straw huts in local villages. She delivered more than 100 babies in the five years that she was there. She helped establish a medical clinic and delivery center which served several surrounding communities. Many people walked for days to get to the center. Some would arrive in a wheelbarrow pushed by a friend or relative. There she was known as "Ma Joyce," which is a complimentary title of respect. Joyce had a very strong faith. Her missionary work was really who she was, always caring for others and serving her lord Jesus Christ.

During nursing school she became best friends with Elaine Hardcastle. This friendship would last a lifetime and beyond. Elaine frequently told Joyce, "If I die before you, you should marry my husband, Guy. You two are perfect for each other." This always made them laugh, but ultimately became a reality several decades later. Guy and Joyce were married in Lebanon on Sept. 24, 2004. They enjoyed 10-plus years together. Guy had a unique opportunity of loving both of these life long friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Nancy Kennedy Young and Julius Young; first stepfather Harry Webshall; second stepfather Paul Svendsen; and second husband Daniel Philbrook.

She is survived by husband Gylan Dickey of Lebanon; two children, Erich F. Knaak of Seattle and Heide A. Doran of The Dalles; four grandchildren, Rachel Olson, Renee Doran, Spencer Doran and Thomas Doran; and two stepsons, Jeffery Dickey of Singapore and Christopher Dickey of Bakersfield, California.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the First Baptist Church, 211 E. Vine St., Lebanon.

Family suggests that those wishing to send flowers would consider a contribution to the Church Missionary Program in Joyce's name instead.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements (aasum-dufour.com).