Patricia “Joy” Turner

“SHE’S FINE!”

Patricia “Joy” Turner, 69, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away on June 4, 2026, at MercyOne Genesis, surrounded by the people she loved—including herself.

Joy was born on January 24, 1957, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Robert “Bob” and Patricia “Patt” (Clough) Fosdick. She grew up in Savanna, Illinois, where she attended school and participated in Rainbow Girls, Drum Majorette, and Chorus. Joy graduated with the Class of 1975.

Joy married the love of her life (other than food), Guy Allen Turner, on April 23, 1977, after being introduced to him by her twin brother, Joe.

A lifelong caregiver at heart, Joy worked as a bookkeeper for Little Red Caboose Daycare and owned and operated “Mama Joy’s” home daycare for nearly 30 years, nurturing and welcoming countless children as if they were her own. She also taught Sunday school and was active with Girl Scouts, the Junior Women’s Club, and TOPS. Joy found one of her greatest sources of happiness in caring for her husband, Guy, for 22 years.

Joy delighted in life’s simple pleasures, including baking and enjoying her favorite chocolate milkshakes. She was best known for her “Pistachio salad.” She was a spitfire with a generous laugh and a stubborn streak, often saying, “I’M FINE!” a phrase that many who loved her will remember fondly. She also enjoyed family trips to Wisconsin each fall for apples and cheese curds. Her favorite television show was Days of Our Lives—so much so that she named her only child, Jessica, after one of the characters.

Joy is survived by her daughter, Jessica “Jessie” (Greg) Freeman of Davenport; her godson, Timothy “Tim” Miller (Angel Mikulski) of Bensenville; five grandchildren, Landen, Kaemryn, and Aralyn Freeman, and Julie Mikulski and Savanna Miller, who brought her great joy. She is also survived by her siblings, Rhonda Mercer of Hanover; David (Carol) Fosdick of Savanna; Diane (Bill) Robinson of Savanna; Joe (Debbie) Fosdick of Mary Esther, Florida; and Todd Fosdick of Andalusia; her father-in-law, Sherman Guenzler of Chadwick; Guy’s siblings and their spouses; and many nieces and nephews, many of whom fondly remember using “Aunt Joy” as an escape from their own parents.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Guy; her parents, Bob and Patt; all maternal and paternal grandparents; her brother, John “Jack” Fosdick; two brothers-in-law, Wally Mercer and Kevin Turner; and her mother-in-law, Betty Guenzler.

A special note of gratitude is extended to the staff of MercyOne Genesis East’s Cardiac Step-Down Unit and the many nurses and caregivers who became Joy’s family during her final days. Their compassion meant the world to Joy and to her family. The family also wants to send a special thank you to Abby Mess, a dear friend who was always able to bring a smile to Joy’s face–with Joy’s final words to Abby being, “You are family.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LivWell CARES online at qclivwellcares.org/donate or LivWell CARES 1035 W. Kimberly Rd Davenport, IA 52806. A special thank you to LivWell owner, Rhonda Halterman and her husband Jeff who helped guide the family during these difficult days.

A celebration of Joy’s life will be held on Sunday, July 12, at Law Jones Funeral Home in Savanna. Visitation will take place from noon to 2:00 p.m., with a memorial service and time of sharing beginning at 2:00 p.m. Following the service, family and friends are invited to participate in one of Joy’s favorite activities—enjoying Manny’s pizza and tacos at Manny’s Too in Fulton.