Joy Kilroy

Joy Lynn Kilroy, née Morgan, came into the world December 7, 1941, born the same day that committed the U.S. to WWII. That conflict would greatly impact her immediate family with both her father and future stepfather’s military service. Born and raised in the Hammond, LA area, Joy took great pride growing up alongside her many aunts, uncles, and cousins across North and South Louisiana, whom she remembered fondly to anyone who would listen all the years of her life. Joy would eventually graduate from Istrouma High School in 1959 and attend college at Southeastern in Hammond. Joy’s primary profession was secretarial work, with long tenures working for Borden Chemical in the 1970’s and later ORNL (Tennessee) from the early 1990’s to her retirement. In between, Joy took pride in her responsibility as wife, homemaker, mother, school volunteer, and caregiver to the sick – the latter of which she provided without hesitation for family members throughout her lifetime.

In December 1970, Joy married Marshall D. Kilroy, Jr. whom she loved and cared for 20+ years.

Although divorced in the 1990’s, Joy would remain friends with Marshall until his passing in 2017, having raised his son and moved with him for employment across the Southeastern U.S. Joy never remarried but enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends after resettling in Baton Rouge. Although talking & visiting were her main interests, Joy loved her houseplants, collection of antiques, gospel music, and her pet dogs Boogie, Skippy, Chelsea, and Mr. Chips.

Joy passed away peacefully in the hospital early on August 26, 2021 following a complicated set of debilitating illnesses that required her relocation to Tampa, Florida in 2018 for treatment and to be nearer the help and support of her son and daughter-in-law. Although infirmed, Joy’s spiritedness and outgoing personality touched everyone she met, and her family in Tampa is grateful to those healthcare workers that did show her compassion and care, even through the difficult, restrictive medical rules of 2020-21.

Joy was preceded in death by grandparents Xanthus (Sr.) and Agnes Worsham of Lottie, LA, father Robert E. Morgan of Hammond, LA, beloved stepfather Carroll D. Hayes and mother Lois Worsham Hayes of Baton Rouge, LA, brother Donald Hollis Morgan of Niceville, FL, ex-husband Marshall D. Kilroy, Jr. of Sebring, FL, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joy is survived by her son Kelly Hayes Kilroy and daughter-in-law Kelly McCarthy of Tampa, FL., nephew Donnie Morgan (and family) of Freeport, FL, and generations of cousins that keep the memory of Joy’s family. Raised Methodist and saved, Joy has gone home to be with her family and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joy will be laid to rest at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Visitation will take place on Tuesday September 7, 2021 from 1:00 PM  until services at 3:00 PM.