Joy Oh passed away peacefully with her children by her side at Oakwood Village in Madison, WI on January 25, 2025. She was born as Kim Hie-Sook in 1931 in Korea, a country occupied by Japan at that time. After graduating from Kyunggi Girls School, Joy became a practicing midwife and nurse, and during the Korean War, she provided care for wounded soldiers. In 1956, a Christian mission selected Joy to study nursing in New York City at Beth Israel Hospital. She sailed across the Pacific Ocean to arrive in the United States on Valentine’s Day, an occasion she proudly celebrated every year. In NYC, she met and fell in love with John (Chung-Hwan) Oh, and they were married in Manhattan’s Riverside Church in 1958. Together, they raised their family in Whitewater, WI, where they lived for more than 40 years. After retiring, they moved to Temecula, CA in 2005, before returning to Wisconsin in 2022.
Joy cultivated cherished friendships wherever life took her. She brought joy, love, and beauty to her friends and family through her passion for cooking and her artistic talents. Joy expressed her creativity through doll-making, egg decorating, painting, ceramics, and the creation of pressed-flower bookmarks, among other crafts. She also had a talent for gardening, creating beautiful gardens wherever she lived, and often made flower arrangements from her gardens for fellowship and services at her churches. In Whitewater, she was a member of the United Methodist Church, and in Temecula, she belonged to both the Jesus Love Korean Church and the United Methodist Church. She was an active and beloved member of each congregation.
Joy began each day with the affirmation, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” She taught those around her to appreciate life with faith, resilience, and beauty. Her chosen name, Joy, reflected her unwavering optimism, which she maintained until her final day. She will be greatly missed.
Joy is survived by daughters: Ruth Oh (W. Fuji) and Elizabeth Oh Uglow (Jay); sons: Dr. James Oh (Cheryl) and Dr. David Oh (Christina); and eight grandchildren: Kathryn (Juan), Christopher, Jonathan, Justin, Timothy, Michael, Elizabeth, and Allison. She is also survived by her sister, Kim Hie-Won, and brother, Kim In-Muk.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Dr. John C.H. Oh, Ph.D.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Oakwood East Tree of Life Chapel on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in celebration of Joy’s life to the Oakwood Foundation (www.oakwoodfoundationinc.org).
All Faiths Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.866allfaiths.com.
