Joy Seward

Joy Lynn Zilbert Seward, 90, of Coeur d’Alene, peacefully passed away on August 20, 2022.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 27 at 1:00 P.M. at English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, ID.  A graveside burial will follow the funeral service at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Joy was born on September 13, 1931, in Grand Rapids, MN.  Her parents and siblings lived on a farm where they raised livestock.  At ten years of age, she and her family of six, moved to Eagle Rock, CA.  She graduated from Eagle Rock High School a semester early in 1950. 

Joy met the love of her life, Richard R. Seward at a skating rink in Burbank, CA.  They were married on March 31, 1951.  Together they traveled with the United States Marine Corps to California, Hawaii, Virginia, and Washington. They settled in North Idaho in 1994 amongst a great number of family and friends.  She and Rick went everywhere and did everything together.  They were married 66 years before Rick passed in 2017. 

Joy enjoyed fishing, playing card games, and volunteering for several organizations.  Joy was actively involved in local politics and was an elected representative to the Republican Central Committee.  Joy was a community activist – looking to correct injustices.  She was a champion for the underdog and was vocal when a wrong needed to be corrected. 

As a younger woman, Joy was a leader for the Camp Fire Girls, a stage mother for the Hula Nanis, a member of the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) and was an active member of the Mica Flats Grange for 23 years.  She held several offices for the Grange but was most proud of her position as the Legislative Director.  Joy was also a National Grange member and held an office with the Idaho State Grange. 

Joy loved and adored her family especially her grandchildren.  Rick and Joy never hesitated to take the children on adventures, play sports with them, or present an opportunity for teaching a new skill.  Her home was always welcoming and full of toys and games for the kids. 

Joy is survived by her loving daughters Deborah Seward Guanzon and her husband Paul; and Dianne Seward Holbart and her husband Chris; 8 grandchildren – Amy Ebling (Jason), Karen Van Wormer (Casey), Jeremy Smith (Stephanie), Eric Devereaux, Joel Devereaux, Andrew Holbart, Morgan Holbart, and Elizabeth Holbart; 7 great-grandchildren - Kaleb Van Wormer, Cassidy Ebling, Skyla Van Wormer, Alexis Devereaux, Cameron Ebling, Toby Smith, and Logan Smith; and several nieces and nephews.  Joy’s loving niece, Jeannette Stavish was invaluable to the family during her last days. 

Joy is preceded in death by her parents Frank W. Zilbert and Trilby G. (Persons) Zilbert; her Sister Frances E. Mau, her brothers Jerome Zilbert, and Richard Zilbert.

Flowers are welcome but in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Mica Flats Grange, a non-profit organization at #436 7465 W Kidd Island Rd, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.