Joy Renea Godby, 53, of North Royalton, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, of complications from a fall.
She was born March 8, 1972, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Joyce VanSchoor and Clifford Godby.
Joy received her GED and worked in several managerial positions. Her favorites were: Halloween, Beautiful Disaster, black and purple, tattoos and her 2004 Ford Mustang Anniversary Silver edition customized by Joy herself! She loved and valued her family and friends. In her free time, she enjoyed crafts, jewelry making, artistic design, crossword puzzles, and attending heavy metal concerts with Mike especially with her favorite band Volbeat. Older favorites were Ozzie Osborne's "Goodbye to Romance" and "See You on the Other Side". Recently, 80's Pop Rock made her feel good. She was also a proud Republican, an ASPCA member and loved animals, especially her service animal and fur baby Brooklyn and Brooklyn's sidekick Gage. She received the Lord on Christmas Day in 2024. Joy struggled with many dependencies and conquered many of them! She was proud of her accomplishments!
Joy is survived by her Significant Other and Life Partner, Michael W. Fleharty who gave her endless love and encouragement; Mother #1, Joyce VanSchoor her "MYH2YH", My Rock, Encourager, Unconditional Love, and whom she shared a Special Bond; Mother #2, Mary Rahman whom cared for her lovingly and whom she forged a Special Bond; Siblings, Kimberly DeVine (Bud) Ulery, Jeannie (Joe) Orel, Joel Voorhies and James Godby her "Partner in Crime and the Godby Rock"; VanSchoor Uncles and Aunts, Dave, Rick (Carol), and Tom (Cathy) VanSchoor Cousins, Teal (Skip) and Tori, Rick (Barb), Jeff (Maryann), Nick, Jason (Kimberly); Nieces and Nephews, Nellita "Pita" (Chris) Womack and Kayla (Spencer) Paluch; Nephew, Jake (Bailey) Orel; Friends, Rikki and Yara Evert, Shannon Robinson and Bob Dennington.
She was preceded in death by her Fathers, Clifford Godby and "Daddy" Lawrence VanSchoor; Grandmother, Dorothy VanSchoor; Aunts, Judy and Tony VanSchoor; Cousin, Amanda "Mandy" VanSchoor.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 6:30pm at Islander Apartments Rec Building, 7711 Normandy Blvd, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130. She will be laid to rest in North Royalton, Ohio.
In place of flowers, the family suggests contributions made in Joy's memory to: City Dogs Animal Shelter, 9203 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44102.
The family wishes to extend a special "Thank You" to everyone at Open Door Christian Church in Avon Ohio and DaVita Dialysis for their love, prayers and tender care given to Joy.
The world needs to know Joy finally got her wings!
Lake Erie Cremation and Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio assisted the family with arrangements.
www.LakeErieCrematory.com