Obituary of Dr. Joyce Marie Doonan

Dr. Joyce Marie Doonan, MD, 74, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully at her home in Wytheville, Virginia, of non-COVID-related causes on January 27, 2021. Joyce led an interesting life. Born the youngest of seven children to the late William and Marie (Curtin) Doonan in Malden, Massachusetts, Joyce made lasting friendships at Malden Catholic High School. She married Henry J. Bielski and became a mother at 19, then a tragic single-car accident during a February blizzard in 1969 left her a widow with two small children. Determined to fulfill her dreams of becoming a doctor, Joyce earned her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Brandeis University in 1975, then overcame many obstacles to attend medical school, first in Lille, France, and then in Philadelphia, graduating from the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1983. She went on to practice anesthesia at Wythe County for the better part of two decades. While traveling up and down the east coast as a medical student interviewing for internship positions, she found herself stranded by the side of the highway, her elderly car having broken down. A semi-trailer truck pulled over, and a man climbed out and came over to offer assistance. Their eyes met, and Joyce remembered feeling reassured, thinking, “This man I can trust.” After he got the car going again, the truck-driver, Will Ferguson, kept his eye on its progress, stopping two more times to help keep Joyce’s car going. At the third stop, Will plucked up the courage to ask Joyce for her phone number, and the rest, as they say, is history. Now her devoted husband of 33 years, Will was at her side upon her passing. Joyce felt life deeply and lived it fully, with a passion for helping others and a flair for artistry. Whether offering solace in her capacity as a healer, lifting her voice in song, showing up with a huge bouquet of flowers or plate of cookies, creating loving portraits of people and animals, or speaking up for the underdog, Joyce’s energy left the world a brighter place than she found it. Joyce found fellowship and was active in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Wytheville. She loved music, gardening, baking, birdwatching, yoga, painting, caring for her horses, dogs, and cats, and spending time with her family and friends. Joyce rests in the love and peace of God. In addition to Will, Joyce lives on in her beloved children, daughter Sandy Doonan of Portland, OR daughter Susan Doonan Bielski and spouse, John A. Blackwell, of Exeter, NH; grandchildren Ruby Hale, Owen Hale, Jren Blackwell and Ellen Blackwell; her brother William and wife Helga Doonan of San Francisco; sisters Diane Pillone and Lorna McCracken, both of New Jersey; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers: Paul, Gerald and John Doonan. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com The Doonan family is in the care of Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville, Va.