LEWISTON – Joye Lee (Ricker) Knowlton, 52, wife of Daniel E. (Nick) Knowlton of Lewiston, passed away at home on Aug. 28. Father, God opened the gate to heaven far too soon, but with the support of prayers and love from family and friends, Joye lived two years and five days beyond expectation to her fullest until her very last day.

She was born in Lewiston, Dec. 11, 1954, a daughter of Wendell C. and Arlene Ricker. She graduated from Lewiston High School, which followed the beginning to an outstanding bookkeeping career.

She married Daniel E. (Nick) Knowlton on Oct. 22, 1977, and together had two children, Krista Lynn Bean and Nicholas Jon Knowlton. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all who ever had the pleasure of knowing her.

She was a hard-working and dedicated manager at Per-se Technology/McKesson for the past 13 years. She loved home and family, including her five beautiful grandchildren, Madison Joye, Zakary Scott and Ava Diane Bean, Evan Jon and Natalee Jane Knowlton, all of the Lewiston and Auburn area.

She adored her very special cats Puffy and especially her blue cream Persian, Angel Lee, given to her by the girls in bookkeeping at McKesson. Among her likes and passions, she loved her home gardens with the beauty and sound of their backyard waterfall and fountain ponds.

She and her husband, Dan, spent many days and evenings just enjoying the pleasures of their back yard. She loved going on shopping trips with her sister, Debbie, her sister-in law, Elaine, and one of her best friends, Gini, always mostly to come home with bags and bags of sale clothing for her five grandchildren. She enjoyed her overnight shopping excursions with her husband’s girl cousins.

She always enjoyed Saturday evening dinner with her mother, Arlene. Sunday walks by the ocean were always special followed by a trip to the Clambake Restaurant for some “steammahs” and an awesome margarita.

Her glowing beauty from within and without was touched by so many in her life. Her gentle and kind ways, her soft beautiful smile and that certain gleam for the love and fun that life is all about. She gave so much without expectations, and father God gave her the best that life could be through family and friends and she is now eternally grateful.

She is survived by her mother, Arlene Ricker; husband, Daniel (Nick); her two children, Krista, and her husband, Rick and Nicholas, and his wife, Brie; five beautiful grandchildren; a sister, Deborah Blanchette, and husband, Ronald; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her grandparents; her father, Wendell C. Ricker; her twin sister, Jan Lynn Minichello; and her wonderful nephew, Mark Blanchette.

Through the course of her final two-year journey, an extraordinary guardian angel on Earth has been so instrumental in teaching her family the true meaning of chiropractic whole health and wellness. Thank you, Dr. John D. Reeder, D.C. P.A., for your exceptional care