Joyce M. Winters

Denver lost a stalwart in April 2026, with the passing of the 99-year-old Joyce Winters. She was a daughter of the Mile High City, the youngest of five children of Harry (Goodstein) Goodston and Minnie Dymenberg. Both of her parents came from distinguished 19th-century families who helped forge early Jewish Colorado.

Born in 1926, Joyce entered the world in her family’s newly built Denver home, where she lived for nearly her entire life. Joyce and her husband, Don, first met when they were eight, at the elementary school just across the street from her home. Their childhood friendship grew into a lifelong love. In 1946, they were married in that same house shortly after he had completed his World War II service in the Navy. During that war, she created a neighborhood newspaper, “The Denver News,” sent to local servicemen to keep them connected to home.

She attended South High School, the University of Denver, and CU Denver. With Don, Joyce was extremely active in the PTA, including being president. Joyce was a force in neighborhood schools, first as a volunteer at Sherman Elementary, eventually becoming a paraprofessional, teaching at many DPS elementary schools. Generations of children knew her as something of a neighborhood mother who was always there to help and give encouragement.

Joyce had business acumen, managing the Western Trading Post on Broadway, a store specializing in Native American crafts. She also participated in a Native American dance troupe and shared her knowledge by teaching Native American history and lore.

Her volunteer work was extensive. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, and a docent at the Chappell House. Come Election Day, neighbors saw her for decades, at the polls as an election judge. Her husband and two of her sons were ranking officers on the Denver Fire Department. Joyce built on this, being a volunteer at the Denver Firefighters Museum. Her activity there reflected her personality and contributions: She wanted all visitors to enjoy the place while assisting researchers needing to know more about the department’s history.

Joyce came across as a seeing mother to everybody. In addition to her four children, Jerry, Ron, Steve, and Barbara, her legacy includes many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild, all the while, reaching out to a large extended family. Gatherings in her honor brought in people from across the country. Those present had numerous tales about her. In each case, they showed she was somebody special in their lives.

Don Winters died in September 2000. He rests at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Joyce’s future resting place. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Amazing Grace Church, 3325 S. Federal Blvd. Englewood, CO 80110. It will recall somebody who added her most to the people of Denver.