Lee Joyce (Taylor) Denny

Lee Joyce Denny

February 27, 1932 – August 5, 2023

Long time Hardin resident, Lee Joyce Denny, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Lee Joyce was born on February 27, 1932, in Hysham, Montana, to Lee and Josephine (Ebeling) Taylor.Shortly after Lee Joyce entered this world, Josephine passed away due to childbirth complications. Lee Joyce was then taken to Hardin to be raised by her loving grandparents,Charles and Jessie Miller. 

A proud graduate of Hardin High School, Lee Joyce was highly involved in the music programs and excelled at playing the piano. After graduating, she began working at Big Horn State Bank. Two years later, she met the love of her life, Melvin Denny. He fell in love with “the lady in the red coat,” as he always told her. Married on June 8th,1952, they were blessed with spending 66 beautiful years together, before Melvin’s passing in 2019. To this union, they had two children, Tom and Kay.

Lee Joyce loved being a stay-at-home Mom for nearly 12 years. After wrapping up that chapter, she went to work for Mountain Bell Telephone Company and eventually ended her career at The Office of Public Assistance. An active member in her community, Lee Joyce enjoyed being involved in Rainbow Girls, Eastern Star, and P.E.O. She was also a dedicated member of the Congregational Church

where she thoroughly enjoyed singing in the choir. Devoted to her family, Lee Joyce welcomed any opportunity to host family gatherings and was a very good cook. She made sure to always have plenty of cookies available for her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially enjoyed being an active part of their lives; she experienced such joy when they were around.

Lee Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, her loving husband, Melvin, two brothers and aunts and uncles with whom she was raised. She is survived by her children, Tom (Shirley) and Kay (Bob) Uffelman. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Carolyn (Donroy) Loos, Brittany (Matt) Miller, and Andee (Alex) Bilodeau, seven great-grandchildren, as well as her brother Paul (Jill) Taylor, sister-in-law, Daphne Taylor and special cousin Janean Meacham.

Memorials may go to the Big Horn County Historical Museum, or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held August 12th, 2023, at 11:00 am at Bullis Mortuary in Hardin, MT.

The family would like to thank Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation for the excellent care and

support they have provided this past year. Arrangements have been provided by Bryant Funeral Home in Worland, Wyoming and Bullis Mortuary in Hardin, Montana.

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