Joyce Johnson 1963-2024

In 1963, Stephen and Helen Motosko welcomed their fourth child into the family. Joy grew up in Youngstown’s Lansingville neighborhood. Cousins and friends were a short walk away. Summer days were spent riding bikes and swimming at Pemberton Park pool. Summer nights meant playing with friends under the streetlights. Neighborhood parents kept a watchful eye. It was idyllic.

Joy graduated from Wilson High School in 1981 as class valedictorian. She attended the University of Notre Dame, where she made lifetime friendships. She made numerous trips to her alma mater for football games and reunions with her husband and children. During her college years, Joy studied at Oxford University and interned with Senator John Glenn.

Joy attended Capital University Law School in Columbus. She loved the law school, not so much for its curriculum, but for its location in German Village. She loved to walk the old brick streets and peek into the windows of the houses, especially at night. Upon being told people may think her a burglar, she responded: “Oh, I’m just looking. Those people have the wrong scale of furniture for that room and they need a lighter color on the walls.” Interior design, not “the law,” proved to be her calling.

Joy met her future husband, Scott Johnson, in law school. It was love at first sight for him. He found her smart, beautiful and captivating.

After graduating from law school, they moved back to the Youngstown area. Marriage followed, along with two wonderful children, Cooper and Anastasia. Joy loved motherhood and all that it entailed. She loved planning their birthday parties and collaborating with them on Christmas tree designs. Soup cans, books, plastic bottles and pool noodles all found their way into various trees. Soccer matches, museum trips and lessons in violin, art, golf and ballet filled the calendar.

Joy was devoted to her sister Linda. Whether assisting her in her law practice or styling her outfits, Joy was always ready to lend her creative hand. Joy and her brother Chuck spoke regularly to catch up on daily events.

Travel planning was another of her passions. Joy led the family and often friends on numerous trips, including Tahiti, Mexico, France, England, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Tanzania, Kenya, Russia, India, Australia, Peru, Ecuador, China, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, Jordan, Greece and the Galapagos Islands.

Joy packed a lot of living into an all-too-short life. She never took things for granted and insisted that not a single day be wasted. She was an exceptional woman who lived an exceptional life.

Joy is survived by her husband of 30 years, Attorney Scott Johnson; her son, Dr. Cooper Johnson of Canfield; daughter, Anastasia Johnson of Washington, D.C.; her sister, Attorney Linda Motosko; and her brothers, Charles (Chuck) and Stephen Motosko.

Per her wishes, no calling hours or funeral services will be held.

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