Joyce Elaine Clifford of Fort Morgan, Colorado passed away on May 28, 2022 at Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Morgan, CO.

Joyce was born on August 26, 1957 in Fort Morgan, CO to John Ray and Doris (Walter) Riddle.  She was the second of four children born to John and Doris.  She was a fun-loving child who loved horses, but especially her horse Flint, riding her bike around, and proving she was a formidable opponent on the badminton grass court.  She had a restricted farm life after wrecking the family's farm tractor during her first lesson with brother John.

After leaving her parents farm in Wiggins, she moved south and met the father of her "greatest blessings", Burgundy Guzman Steere, Zebulun Vestal, and Jessica Brajkovic.  Once back in Colorado and while working as a pastry chef in Platteville at the Double Tree restaurant, she met the love of her life and known 'pie hound', William 'Bill' Clifford and married him on July 21, 1992.  Together, they faced the highs and lows of life including finding and moving the family to their forever house in Fort Morgan during the summer of 1993 where she finally mastered the art of operating a tractor, starting a successful masonry business, weathering the car accident of their son; celebrating their daughters' marriages and the births of their four grandchildren.

As an adult, Joyce was a gifted artist, dabbling in everything from ceramics, to stained glass, to painting, to scrapbooking.  She had an open heart with an easy laugh and a big smile that did not hid the ornery glint in her eyes.  She loved to pack a picnic and go Jeeping in the Colorado mountains, exploring its trails, wild beauty and storied past with her best friend, Bill, and arguably her favorite child-their dog Lilly.  Joyce loved to listen to classic rock during the day with Zeb, playing it loud while singing along.  This was usually preceded or proceeded by a classic movie, usually from the 1930s and 40s, or a western. Christmas was her favorite holiday.  Christmas decorations "too pretty to put away" are always out and during Christmas, she had multiple trees to showcase her ornament collections.  When her grandchildren were young, Joyce and Bill would spend a month setting up a lighted outdoor winter wonderland which taxed the electrical grid but provided priceless memories for the family.  From the day of her son's car accident in 1996, Joyce dedicated her life to providing exceptional care to him and becoming his most fierce advocate.  This became her life's work.  She was a doting mother and grandmother who loved her family unconditionally.  Teaching and passing on her love of handcrafted arts, antiques, good food and a good laugh to them.  Joyce's love was endless and her extended family members were also vital to her.  She frequently checked in with them, truly interested in their lives and always strengthening the family bonds.  She leaves behind a loving family and a legacy of devotion to family that continues to echo.

Joyce is survived by her husband William 'Bill' Clifford, her children Burgundy (Scott) Guzman Steere, Zebulun Vestal, and Jessica (Lovre) Brajkovic, her grandchildren Cross Romero, Tatum Guzman, Lu Guzman, and Luka Brajkovic, her dog Lilly, her mother Doris Riddle, her brothers Dennis (Darlene) Riddle, John Dean (Mary) Riddle, and Jason (Laura) Riddle, brothers-in-law Marvin (Wendy) Clifford, Eric Clifford, Walter (Lori) Clifford, sister-in-law Cheryl Kutscher, along with her aunts and uncles, niece and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.

She is proceeded in death by her father John Ray Riddle, her father-in-law Theodore 'Ted' Clifford and mother-in-law Carol Ebersole, her grandparents Harold Leon and Mable (Maxwell) Riddle, and Albert and Edna (Kraig) Walter, her son-in-law Paul Guzman, her brother-in-law Daryl Clifford, her nephew Joshua Riddle, along with aunts, uncles and cousins.

A private family viewing was held at Heer Mortuary and a celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation to Joyce's charity of choice, St. Jude's Hospital which she supported to honor the care her cousin Haley Mathis received from them.