Joyce Marie Sherman Douglas Comfort, 89, of Kansas City, MO passed away November 26th, 2020, at St. Luke's North Hospital.  She was born in St. Joseph, MO, February 5th, 1931. She graduated high school in 1948 from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in St. Joseph and earned her Bachelor of Education at NW Missouri State. Her first teaching assignment was at Everett Grade School in St. Joseph.  Joyce retired from the Kansas City School District in the early 90's after teaching at Garfield Elementary and Northeast Middle School and spent many years prior to that teaching in Kansas City Catholic schools.

Joyce had been active in the Sacred Heart Alumnae Association for many years, and dutifully notified the members of their classmates' passing and other events.  She treasured her friendships with the "Convent girls" and keeping in touch with those from St. Joseph, her beloved hometown.

After raising six children, her last few years had been a struggle.  As her vision failed, so did her balance, resulting in multiple falls and surgeries.  Although she survived multiple broken bones, COVID was too much even for her resilient Irish spirit.  Her youngest daughter Laura's death in January of this year, her progressing decline and other heartbreaks weakened her immune system greatly.  She had been a voracious reader all her life, and not being able to see to read was such a sadness for her.  But she never lost her spirit and loved nothing more than to have visitors to her cozy apartment, especially her Marx and Blanton grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She gave excellent wheelchair rides and always shared her chocolate treats with them.  She treasured long distance phone calls from her two sons in Texas and catching up with them and listening to recordings of her Texas niece's marching band performances. She loved hearing about her teacher granddaughter's classroom experiences and gave great advice. She wore with pride the personalized masks her granddaughter sewed for her to wear. She loved new photos of the out of town great-granddaughters to be framed and put up on her shelf. Before her vision started to fail, she was most famous for her unbelievable ability to remember and acknowledge birthdays of so many relatives and friends, usually a card that included a $2 bill. Her extensive collection of nun figurines and dolls was a conversation starter for all who visited her apartment.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ferne Sherman, her husband Jack Comfort, her sister Carol Anderson, and her daughter Laura McGlocklin .  She is survived by her children, Mark Douglas (Karen) of Houston, TX, Susan Marx of Kansas City, MO, Carol Price of Boise, ID, Steve Douglas (Sharon) of Kansas City, MO, Paul Douglas of Buda, TX; stepson Jim Comfort (Rose Mary) of Lenexa, KS;  10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Bob Anderson of Omaha, NE; her Anderson and Douglas nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Primrose Retirement Community for their dedication and friendship to our mother, and a special thank you to the 4th floor nurses of St. Luke's Northland for their compassionate and exceptional care these last few days.

In light of COVID and in an abundance of caution, the family delayed the service for Joyce. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. with a Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, KCMO. Inurnment will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Gladstone, MO. Donations in Joyce's name can be made to St. Patrick's Church, 1357 NE 42nd Terr, KCMO 64116.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com