Joy Dolores (Challender) Child
Joy Dolores (Challender) Child passed away on March 30, 2026, at Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, following a long battle with congestive heart failure.
Joy was born in Newton, Kan., April 23, 1952, the fourth of seven children of the late Willard Alton and Daisy Dolores (Horton) Challender. She grew up on a family farm in rural Sedgwick, Kan., that was purchased in 1920 by her father’s maternal grandparents Willard Lorenzo and Mary Rosetta (Shank) Severance.
Joy was active in 4-H and was the bread and rolls Kansas grand champion several times. She was valedictorian of Sedgwick High School Class of 1970 and attended Friends University in Wichita, Kan., and completed her bachelor’s degree at Wichita State University in 1978. While at Friends University she met William Chapin Child II and they married at the University Friends Meeting in Wichita on June 30, 1979.
After marriage she moved to Woodstock and soon to nearby Putnam, where she made her home for 36 years, and later to Webster, where she enjoyed the view of the lake and occasional kayaking.
She earned an MBA at Clark University in Worcester and worked professionally as a certified public accountant and partner at Lainer, Child, and Associates in Worcester, and later AAFCPAs in Westborough. She retired in 2022.
Joy was involved in the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut in Putnam serving as treasurer for many years and was a member of Putnam Baptist Church, serving on the church council and finance committee. She had also served on the board of finance and other committees for the town of Putnam. She enjoyed reading, writing, traveling, winter vacations to Cape Cod, baking classes at the King Arthur Flour Company, and spending time with her family and friends.
In addition to her husband, she leaves three children, Christopher Challender Ovalle Child (Arlene Ovalle-Child) of Boston, Carolyn Elizabeth Rolfechild (Steven Anthony Rolfechild) of Bozrah, and Katherine Joy Child of Webster; two granddaughters Alice Olivia Child and Daniela Child, both of Boston; two brothers, Craig Alton Challender (Peggy Epperson) of Farmville, Vir., and Paul Curtis Challender (Debi Rockley) of Emporia Kan.; two sisters, Beth Holloway and Melinda Latimore, both of Wichita; two sisters-in-law, Rev. Dr. Virginia Helman Child of E. Providence, and Janet Challender of Alexandria, Vir.; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including cousin Aletha Wilson (Jim) of Topeka, Kan., and longtime neighbors and friends, the Chakraborty and Lahiri families of Halfmoon, N.Y., and Monroe. She was predeceased by a brother, Kent Willard Challender in 1981, a sister, Tamara Sue Challender in 2002, and a brother-in-law, Gary Chester Holloway in 2011.
Visitation was April 3 Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. A Funeral Service was April 4 at Putnam Baptist Church, 170 Church St., Putnam. Burial will be private at Woodstock Hill Cemetery in Woodstock. Donations: Putnam Baptist Church; or the American Heart Association.
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