December 22, 1941 – July 27, 2026
Joy Louise Chase Dickey passed away on July 27, 2026, at the age of 84. She was laid to rest in a private green burial service at Fernwood Funeral Home in Mill Valley, California. Her final resting place is nestled high on a peaceful hillside beneath majestic eucalyptus trees overlooking the San Francisco Bay, watched over by Quan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion—a setting as serene and independent as the life she lived.
Joy was the loving mother to Andrea Joy Casalett (Beth McBride), proud mom of Heather Hartter (Libby Kava), and a doting grandmother to Michael Hartter. She was a cherished aunt to Tom Russo, Fred Russo, Roseanna Russo, Dina Weirich, Michael Leach, Rob Leach, Mark Cassis, and Andrea Cassis VanProoyen. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Joseph Casalett; her second husband, Charles William Dickey; her parents, Fred and Louise Chase; and her beloved sisters, Charlotte Leach, Marilyn Russo, and Geraldine Chase.
Those who knew Joy also knew the deep affection she had for the many animals who shared her life. She loved and cared for each of them as family, and found great comfort and companionship in Little Miss Chievous, Snoopy, Shadow, Mimi, Mumbles, Dee Dee, Dolly, Missy, and Josie, all of whom preceded her in death.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Joy possessed a sharp intellect and an enduring curiosity about the world. She pursued higher education throughout her life, attending several colleges and embracing every opportunity to learn. Her professional career reflected both her intelligence and determination. She began at Lear-Siegler, Inc. in Grand Rapids before serving as Executive Secretary to the Chief Scientist at Bendix Aerospace in Ann Arbor. In 1968, she embarked on a new chapter by moving to Maui, Hawaii, eventually making Northern California her home.
For twenty-two years, Joy built a successful career in marketing and senior management at Syntex Laboratories in Palo Alto. Following Roche Pharmaceuticals’ acquisition of Syntex in 1994, she accepted early retirement before launching a second career in Bay Area real estate with Coldwell Banker, where she combined her corporate expertise with creative marketing to serve her clients.
Joy believed in giving back to her community. She served on the Syntex Advisory Board for Women’s Issues, was Vice President of the Mountain View Bobby Sox Softball League, and dedicated her time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), advocating for the safety and well-being of children in foster care.
She enjoyed preparing cherished Lebanese family recipes, including kibbe, kousa, sfeeha, and mujadara. She also treasured her lifelong friendship with her French pen pal, François, with whom she faithfully exchanged letters for decades. In her spare time, you would find her shopping or listening to music – from Barbra Streisand to PINK.
An adventurous traveler, Joy found joy in exploring the world. Among her favorite destinations were France, Austria, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Poland, and Switzerland. Each journey reflected her curiosity, independence, and appreciation for different cultures.
Joy lived with courage, conviction, and authenticity. She valued education, embraced new experiences, stood firmly by her beliefs, and remained deeply passionate about democracy and her beloved San Francisco 49ers. She faced life’s changes on her own terms, leaving behind an example of resilience, intelligence, compassion, and unwavering independence.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at 1440 By the Bay for the kindness, dignity, and loving care they provided Joy during her final chapter. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Joy’s memory to CASA California to support youth in foster care, CASA California Empower Foster Youth; the Humane Society of West Michigan; or Democratic National Committee (DNC).
