Joyce S George

George, Joyce (Cooksley) departed this life February 25, 2026, in Boulder, Colorado. She was born at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 12, 1932.

Joyce graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1951 and went on to study at Pratt Institute in New York City. In 1954, she returned to Hartford, where she married Joseph Irvine George, a New York transplant, in 1958; they had five children together. Joe predeceased Joyce in 1986. While raising their five children in West Hartford, Joyce began her professional career at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, appointed Assistant to the Dean of Academic Studies.She later pursued a second career in New York City at Svenska Handelsbanken, where she served as Executive Assistant to the General Manager before being promoted to Vice President of Human Resources and Staff Development. 

Joyce retired in 1998 and lived variously in Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York before returning to Boulder, where she spent her final years. A lifelong learner, she pursued intellectual and spiritual growth with equal seriousness, finding in later life the contemplative practices and non-dual philosophy that allowed her to turn her formidable energies inward. Those who knew her well understood that her life's deepest work was the journey from the certainties of the mind to the openness of the heart.

She is survived by her daughters Mary Elizabeth George and Sarah Kate Garrison (Kelly Garrison), of Colorado; and her daughter Elizabeth Anne Barker, of West Yorkshire, England. her son Joseph A. George (Sherry Corwin), of Charlotte, NC; her son Christopher J. George (Renee LaChance), of West Hartford, CT; She is also survived by her grandchildren: Lauren Barker and Elliott Laquerre-Barker (Melissa); Jake George (Natasha), Chance, and Lily George; Nick, Maddy, and Gigi George; and Isabella and Katie Garrison.

The family would like to acknowledge the kind and professional services of Nicole Materazzo , family friend and end of life practitioner, who helped Joyce navigate her final journey.

A memorial donation page has been set up in Joyce's name and the family request donations in lieu of flowers: https://bit.ly/4bfyEzy The charity AFTD was chosen because Joyce's eldest daughter, Mary, is suffering from early onset dementia. Joyce was especially concerned for Mary and spent her last days putting in place ways to support her. By supporting this charity you also honor Joyce and bring hope to others who are coping with FTD, Frontotemporal degeneration.