Aptly named Joy by her parents, August and Kate Rose, she was simply that, a joy to all who knew her. A native of Fairmont, Minn., Joy married Frank Lockner from neighboring Jackson, Minn., settled in suburban Chicago and raised five children. A gifted pianist, music was always a large part of her life and she spent many years as church organist at Holy Cross Parish. She returned to school at 50 and completed undergraduate, masters and Psy.D. degrees in clinical psychology, becoming the first Lockner doctor. She was unwavering in her energy and poured herself into the world, changing many lives for the better. She loved her second career and maintained her practice until retirement at age 79. While her professional achievements were many, the role that mattered most to her was that of mother and grandmother. She delighted in her children and looked for ways to spend time with each of us, including the occasional mental health day off school or dentist appointment that mysteriously took all afternoon. The only thing she ever wanted for her birthday was to have all her children gathered in one place.

Being together with family and friends was her favorite thing (and if she could be floating in a pool, lake or ocean, even better). She loved to laugh and could make herself laugh thinking about past laughter. She was a serial sneezer. She brought crying puppies to bed with her. There was always enough food. Joy was an every mom to everybody. It was her unique and natural way of being…it was her gift. Many people “adopted” our mom over the years and she had enough love for all of you. We’re comforted knowing how many of you feel as we do, that she was a beacon of light and love that shone bright in the world.

Joy is survived by her brother, Richard (Ann) Rose, of Bloomington, Ind.; sisters-in-law, Nancy Sweetland and Marion Rose; her children, Christopher (Janee) Lockner, Matthew (Melissa) Lockner, Peter (Wendy) Lockner, Elizabeth Kite and Katherine (John) Berkowitz; her grandchildren, Tim (Chelsie) Lockner, Jenny Lockner, Tom Lockner, Brian Kite and Sabrina Kite; great-grandson, Tate the Great; many nieces, nephews, honorary kids and friends. She was preceded in death by brother, Robert; sister, June; sister-in-law, Virginia Rose; son-in-law, Michael Kite; and great-grandbaby, Olivia.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please do a random act of kindness in the spirit of remembrance, celebration and JOY.

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