Joy Virginia Cawthon

Joy Virginia Cawthon

November 14, 1939 - January 13, 2017

Joy Virginia Cawthon

November 14, 1939 - January 13, 2017

Obituary

Cawthon, Joy ‘Jodi’ Virginia

Joy, or Jodi, as so many fondly remember her by, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 13th, 2017. Joy always said Friday the 13th was her lucky day!! She passed away from lung cancer that she BRAVELY fought for a year!

Jodi was born Joy Virginia Scofield on November 14th, 1939 in West Virginia. The only child to Joseph and Ruby Scofield. They moved to Ohio where they lived until she was eleven. They then moved to California where she was a Cali Girl from then on.

Jodi grew up in El Monte and went to El Monte High School. She was in several clubs, Acapella Choir and was a Songleader. She even marched in Disneyland’s opening day parade in 1955 which started a love for Disneyland that she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

As an El Monte Lion Freshman she met a handsome Senior named Don Cawthon. That cute football player captured her heart and that was the beginning of the sweetest love story! After Jodi graduated High School they were married. They were happily married just shy of 60 years!
Don and Jodi had a wonderful life together. They purchased their first home in West Covina, California when their first daughter was six months old. Then along came two more daughters.
In 1971 they moved their family to Laguna Niguel, California close to the beaches they loved so much.

Jodi was a stay at home mother also helping to teach her daughters pre-school classes. She later got very involved in Girl Scouting when she started as her middle daughters Brownie Troop Leader. This would lead to a long term Love of Girl Scouting which led her to many volunteer positions. It was very close to her heart! It even led her to be appointed as a volunteer on The Board Of Directors of The Girl Scout Council Of Orange County. To this day her girl scouts, who are grown women and mothers themselves now, tell stories of how Jodi (or Sunny, her girl scout nickname) touched their lives and helped mold them into the women they are today.

In Girl Scouting she worked closely with United Way Of Orange County which then led her to her next adventure in the working world where she was given the title of Vice President Of Funds And Distribution.

Jodi loved helping people and her position at United Way. She only left there when her father fell ill from cancer and she brought him home to be his main care giver till he passed.

After her father’s passing, the Girl Scouts were soon calling. Jodi returned to GSCOC as Administrative Executive Director. A position she loved and kept until she retired in 2002.

Jodi was always very involved with her daughters and their school activities. Whether it be in athletics, dance or pep squad. And was very much a surrogate mother to many of her daughters friends.

The Cawthon’s also loved camping! Family summers were often spent in Sequoia, Yosemite, Oregon, at the beach and many other beautiful places.

Jodi and Don were also very involved with their High School Reunion Committee and stayed very close friends with so many of their alumni and childhood friends! Those friendships is where ‘The El Monte Trailer Trash’ was born. A group of lifelong friends who would motorhome together several times a year. Something Jodi loved dearly!

Another love apart from the beach where they lived was the mountains of Big Bear, California. Jodi and Don had a Beautiful home there on property that’s been in the family since Jodi was a very young girl. Jodi loved the mountains and was a great skiier. another past time the family loved!

And has for her grandchildren…..They hung the moon and the stars!!

Jodi was so loved by so many. Her smile, laughter, sense of humor and love for life truly encompassed her name perfectly….’JOY’!

Jodi was an AMAZING wife, mother, MiMi and friend! She was an earthbound gift and Heaven truly was Blessed with an Angel when Jodi went home to her Lord and Savior!

Jodi is survived by her loving husband Donald Cawthon, her daughters Cari Allison, Stacy Cawthon and Shawna Hiday, her grandsons Mark Bell II and Kyle Hiday, her grandaughters Taylor Showers and Camryn Hiday, her son in laws Bill Allison and Msgt. Timothy Hiday and she was proceeded home to Heaven by her precious grandson Matthew Gabriel.

A Memorial and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday July 1st, 2017 at 1:00 pm at O’Connor Mortuary. 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, California 92653.

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12 responses to Joy Virginia Cawthon

  1. Thankyou so much!!!! :two_hearts::two_hearts::two_hearts::two_hearts::two_hearts:

  2. I would like to attend, but not possible, Joy truly was fun, kind & thoughtful, good memories of the great times in “Spooks”. My prayers and thoughts continue for the family’. With deepest Sympathy

    Pat McEachern Wade
    Houston, TX.

  3. Manuel Adame says:

    Dear Don and Family, We are sorry for your loss. Manuel & Judy Adame

  4. Pat kehler says:

    What a beautiful friend you were to all of us, I remember our times in Spooks, what fun we had! Also Kampus Koeds. You always befriended us all, popular and otherwise. You never saw the difference in anyone. Your smile, bubbly personality, and presence were so special. Our last reunion was a “hoot”, mainly the time I spent with you. Always and forever, my high school buddy. You may be gone physically from us, but, never forgotten in our memories and heart. Love you, my friend. Pat (Bonebright) Kehler. Class of 1957, proud El Monte Lion.

  5. Dear Don and Family,
    Such a loss for everyone who knew Jodi. Our years spent with Girl Scouts was so much fun. The adventures, campouts, ski trips and teaching Girl Scouts through a fun way of learning will live with them throughout their lives.
    Jodi and I were both on the Board of Directors together. She was always inspiring and eager to bring the best out in everyone she was with. Be it her Girl Scout Troop, the support she received from Don in the many Girl Scout adventures. She also was an outstanding Service Unit Manager – Being the Leader of Girl Scout Leaders in Laguna Niguel. She then moved into the staff position at Girl Scout Council of Orange County where everyone in Orange County learned what a terrific person Jodi was. Guiding, leading and encouraging everyone to do their best.
    Such a wonderful person. She will be missed by so many. Keeping her memories to share with each other and the grandchildren will be her legacy to you all.
    God Bless you all,
    Dennis and Donna Mulvaney

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