Joy Koponen

Middletown, RI - Joy Diane Johnson Koponen. On March 3, 2011, Joy was called to her eternal home with her Savior. She will be greatly missed by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Koponen.A daughter of the late William and Anna Johnson, Joy was born in Wakefield, Michigan, on February 23, 1932. She met her husband Don, while attending Suomi College in Hancock, MI.Joy was the organist of Messiah Lutheran Church in Portland, OR, and St. Peters Lutheran Church in Newport, RI, while her husband served as Pastor in both churches. She was also the assistant organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden, MA, and more recently played keyboard at St. Michaels Charismatic Episcopal Church in Middletown, RI.Being passionate about the Bible, Joy taught Bible Study groups throughout her life. She also enjoyed painting and gardening. She was a member of Lifepath Church in Middletown.She leaves behind two daughters, Susan Monteiro and Karen David, along with her husband Rick, as well as her grandchildren, Shauna, Corey, Lindsay, Kyle, and Kelise and two great-grand children, Chelsea and Austin and her sister Pearl Downs of Garden City, MI. She was preceded in death by a son, Ross, who died on February 14, 1960. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011, from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 7, 2011, at 11:00AM in Lifepath Church, 999 West Main Road, Middletown, burial will be prior to the service at 9:30am in Newport Memorial Park, Vaucluse Ave. Middletown