TALLY Joy Elizabeth, an educator and passionate environmentalist who taught thousands of children and adults the importance of natural systems and the environment, died in Eugene, Oregon on January 28th, 2017 after a sudden illness. Joy was the epitome of her name, a joy to all who knew her. She was a caring and kind person, known for her commitment to her work and her community and for her willingness to have fun while always ensuring everyone’s safety. She constantly gave her time to others, especially to the many “Joy Scouts”, children of friends and family for whom she was a nanny, babysitter or took on excursions and camping trips.
Joy earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and a master’s in Elementary Education from Trinity College in Washington D.C. Later she earned a master's degree in Environmental Education from Western Washington University and a certificate in non-profit administration and leadership from the North Cascades Institute.
Joy completed two years of national service in AmeriCorps, working on a diverse array of volunteer projects in several states throughout the southeastern U.S. Projects included working with students in inner city schools, constructing homes for those in need, working at a camp for individuals with severe and profound disabilities, and several historical preservation and environmental projects. During her final 11 months with AmeriCorps, Joy served as a team leader of a group of 10 full time volunteers as they completed similar projects.
Her education, her work for the Pacific Science Center, Carkeek Park in Seattle and AmeriCorp made her a perfect fit to work as Education Coordinator at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Coos Bay, Oregon. She led the education program at the Reserve which included formal and informal education programs, public involvement, coastal training and the interpretive center. In her first position at the South Slough Joy developed educational materials, led classes for K-12 students and programs for adult visitors, directed summer camps and developed workshops for educators. Joy also worked on the national level developing education goals for the entire 28 estuarine reserve system. She loved her work, her colleagues and the beautiful estuary where she spent so many of her days.
A past President of the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME) from 2013 to 2015, Joy also served in many other positions during her ten-year association with this professional development organization. She served as the State of Oregon representative on the Oregon Environmental Literacy Task Force and as a steering committee member of the Coastal S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) hub working group. Joy was also very involved in the community around Coos Bay and was a member of the Coos Bay chapter of Surfrider as well as several other organizations.
Born in Boston on New Year’s Day 1975, Joy grew up in Needham Massachusetts and is survived by her mother, Margaret Tally of Needham, Massachusetts, her siblings Meg Tally Hunt (and husband Ed Hunt) of Kirkland, Washington, Bill Tally (and wife Carol Tally) of Foxboro Massachusetts and Maria Tally of Seattle, Washington. She was thrilled to be “your favorite auntie” to her nieces and nephews Michael, Montana and Martin Tally, and Emma and Liam Hunt. Joy met her best friend, Catherine Eiche, when they were at Trinity College and they remained lifelong friends and travel companions despite living on opposite coasts. She will be missed by friends and colleagues too numerous to mention but on whom she left an indelible impression.
There will be a Celebration of Joy’s life in Coos Bay and a funeral in Boston (Wellesley). There will also be an opportunity to celebrate Joy in Seattle (Kirkland) on March 4th - more details to follow.
Celebration of Joy’s Life in Coos Bay
Sunday, February 12, 2017, 3 – 6 pm
South Slough Reserve Interpretive Center
61907 Seven Devils Road, Charleston, OR 97420?
Funeral Service – Boston (Wellesley)
Visiting Hours Friday, February 17, 2017, 5-8pm
George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home
477 Washington St.
Wellesley, MA 02482
Funeral Mass
Saturday February 18, 2017, 11am
St. John the Evangelist Church
9 Glen Road
Wellesley, MA 02481
Interment will be private.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Joy’s memory to the following organizations that captured her passion:
Friends of South Slough – In memory of Joy Tally
PO Box 5446
Charleston, OR 97420
North Cascades Institute
1) There is an Online giving form: www.ncascades.org/give. Please write Joy Tally in the “notes or requests” box.
2) Send checks to, North Cascades Institute, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 with a memo on the check that says Joy Tally.
NAME (Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators) – Donations may be made via http://pacname.org/. Please add a note that the donation is in memory of Joy Tally.