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5 tree(s) planted in memory of Joy Armbrust
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Anonymous planted 3 trees in memory of Joy Armbrust
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
3 trees were planted in memory of
Joy Michael Marie Armbrust
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David and Trisha Trimm posted a condolence
Monday, August 14, 2023
David and his friend Don met Joy shortly after she opened the gallery in 2000 and they became immediate friends. When he married me (Trisha) and took me to Maine, Joy and I hit it off right away. From then on, seeing Joy on an annual basis during "the season" became a ritual we looked forward to and a tradition that has since been an integral part of our Maine experience. A great friend, even though far away, is never forgotten and reunions are always "joyful". She was so very appropriately named! Her friendly smile, outgoing nature, interesting conversation and infectious, resounding laugh were to us her hallmarks. When we would walk in her door, it was as if the months had fallen away and we picked up conversations as if they were yesterday. That is the mark of a true friend! So now we consider her in her heavenly home, just waiting for us to come join her for a cappuccino, a conversation and, most of all, a laugh! We are already missing you, dearest Joy!
"A merry heart doeth good like medicine"
Proverbs 17:22
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Al & Sandy Abate posted a condolence
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Fred,
We were so sad to hear about Joy’s passing. We had many happy visits with her at the gallery. She was always her most gregarious self and we will always remember her with great fondness.
Al & Sandy Abate
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Amy Armbrust posted a condolence
Friday, July 28, 2023
I’d like to open with a Psalm: “Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.”
Today we mourn the loss of Joy. The loss of a friend, of a companion, a sister, a mother, a force of nature. My mom was many things to many people but above all she was unforgettable. Steadfast and hard headed, she persevered through all with the Lord by her side – an example we surely need at this time where the terrors of death can challenge our faith and shake our spirit.
Twenty eight years ago I was blessed with the gift of life from my mom in Kirkland, Washington – not so far from where I live today. She was in her prime enjoying life and working in the service industry for Hyatt hotels. We only spent a brief time out west before she was called back to Ohio to be with her mom, my grandmother, Gloria in her childhood home. While I don’t remember much of this time, I have foggy glimpses into our past – fond memories of riding a motorcycle with my grandma, exploring our back yard as my mom once did with my grandma, and spending hot Ohio days with her at the pool.
These early years of my life, while only still frames of a half forgotten movie, are some of my fondest. For five years we lived together there, Joy and my grandma working together to spoil me with love and affection. Through their example they showed me how to love others, how to sacrifice for others, and what it takes selflessly care for another.
John Chapter 14 verse 2 says: “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not So, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” While to me Ohio may have felt like a heavenly mansion, the Lord was preparing an even grander mansion for my grandmother. Almost five years after moving back to Ohio, the death of Joy’s mom hit my her hard; however, she was no stranger to the temptation of despair and turned this sorrow into a springboard for something greater.
“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!, for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” Psalm 55:6-8
Moving to Maine, like moving back to Ohio, was a great challenge especially with such a young kid. Unlike Ohio though, there was nothing waiting for her in Maine – only faith that the Lord would provide and a determination to see through a dream my grandmother once shared with Joy. As anyone who has moved to a new place can attest, starting with a blank slate – after a loss and with the responsibility of a child – takes courage and grit. How she found this property, this barn we’re gathered in, is a mystery but something is for certain – it was God’s will.
Speaking for myself, I hated it... for all of a month. But look outside, this towering structure surrounded with untamed wilderness is a veritable wonderland for a rambunctious five year old! Sure it took a lot of adjustment but as with Ohio, my mom was right there with me to explore. She was always fond of road trips and she spared no time in beginning to wander the Maine roads.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone born of the spirit.” John 3:8
It was one of the many, many road trips we took that led her to the Massachusetts house out front of MBNA. This sparked the idea of a gallery, of providing a home to artists in the area and of nurturing their work by putting it proudly on display for the world to see. Just like her faith in the Lord my mom was determined to show the best to all those that would see it. Somehow she, with the help of Fred, managed to get the ol’ girl in shape and bring out the best she had to offer. Joy turned this dark dingy old barn into a brightly lit beacon of hope that would honor its hay-day.
I remember playing in the rafters while this place was under construction, much to the chagrin of my mom. Risking life and limb to save my friend Alex who had fallen into a pit out back. Discovering the joy of Wendy’s chicken nuggets and racing toys across the hardwood floors. As construction closed the real work began – turning this property, poised for prosperity, into a sustainable business.
“Day and night they go about it upon the walls therof: mischeif also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Wickeness in the midst therof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked unto the house of God in company.” Psalm 55:10-14
Getting the gallery off the ground was rife with challenges. The spiritual foundation was not solid and those involved not fully committed. This false start to the business brought major hardship onto our family and was a true test of faith. My mom was faced with a decision to fold and try something else or to pick up the pieces, hold steady to the path before her and trust once again that the Lord had a plan for her. As you all know, she certainly chose the latter.
I was still too young during this time to fully grasp everything that happened, but what I learned from my mom more than at any other time was how to face your fears, rely on one’s own determination, and count on the support of others. The words of James speak to this: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
The years following this hardship were truly filled with blessings. The identity of the Northport Landing Gallery & Espresso was forged and put to the test by the community. While slow at first, word of mouth got out and the barn quickly became a local institution with Joy as the cornerstone. Locals and tourists alike would have her unforgettable laugh and infectious smile etched into their memories.
My mom’s attention to detail could be seen everywhere, in the placement of the art pieces, the seating, even the lighting. This place was a reflection of her life, her experiences, and her faith. Joy’s seemingly endless wellspring of spirit carried us through many years and built many lasting relations.
As the years ran by, her good friend, confidant, and talented photographer John Longmaid decided to open a gallery and wanted my mom to run it. A prime piece of real estate right smack dab in the middle of Camden, Maine was to be the future site of the Ironbound gallery. She took everything she learned from her time in the service industry and her years running this gallery and put it into Ironbound. While at times it strained her, the experience pushed her to grow and share her spirit with even more people.
Over the years, just as the Northport Landing was woven into the fabric of Northport, so too was Ironbound woven into the fabric of Camden. She brought others on to curate Ironbound, gave them a chance to grow themselves, engaged with the community and made friends with fellow business owners in her own Joyful way. 1 Corinthians says: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” As per her unwavering determination, my mom worked hard to ensure her vision for both galleries would not be lost over the years.
“Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.” Psalm 55:15.
2020 marks a turning point for all of us. No one was prepared for the impact the pandemic had on this country and this community. Having stretched her spiritual capacity to its limit, my mom decided to shutter operations at the Northport location for what was supposed to be just a single season; I never thought the next next time we’d help get the barn ready for opening we’d be doing it alone. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Joy worked hard to shore herself up against the fear present in the world during this shared dark time. She told me once that fear is just “false evidence appearing real” and I think this is something we can all take to heart. Like us all she was swept up in the chaos of the situation but continued to persevere with the protection of the Lord. “And he said unto me, ‘It is done. I am alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”
In July of 2021 I received a call from my aunt Sandy - “this is the big one” she said. Even today those words still ring in my head. My mom had endured a serious stroke. The only thing I knew to do was to get over to Portland as fast as I could and do whatever it took to support her. Fortunately, being her stubborn self, she was able to recover but not without a toll. This event changed her drastically and challenged her to accept herself as she now was. But even in the darkest times one’s faith can always be relied upon.
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18
While recovering from her stroke my mom had a significant spiritual awakening; she took account of her entire life – the good, the bad, the ugly. Instead of shrinking away from this revelation Joy doubled down on her faith. The book of Ezekiel says: “Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements and do them.”
Talking with her frequently over this period of recovery I was graced with seeing her progress, her slow but steady elimination of fear, and her growing back into herself. While her spirit may have been weakened and changed, it was never hidden away. We talked at length about adjusting to yourself after changes and ways to relearn things once taken for granted. As near-death experiences are want to do, this brought us much closer. So close in fact that in early 2022 we met up in Portland.
Zach and I had just finished visiting friends in Washington DC and were starting the second leg of our trip up in Maine. I remember walking in to the hotel to meet up with her and the first thing I noticed was her double fisting long island iced teas she had somehow managed to get for free – I knew immediately my mom was back, changed yet still the same Joy I’d known for all my life. We spent the next few days catching up, reconnecting, and eating delicious seafood. Any shred of doubt about her recovery was totally removed after Zach told me how she grilled him – straight to the point and intimidating as a fierce lioness.
This trip is the last memory I have with my mom and one I will cherish for the rest of my life. Seeing how happy she was about Zach and I, how proud she was of driving herself there, her disdain of a snooty Portland gallery half that of this place...
“As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.”
Over the following year she continued to regain herself and write her next chapter in life. We would continue to talk frequently sharing joys and sorrows. She reconnected with friends and family working in her own way to try and forge bonds with those close to her and to get her life in order.
“And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”” The candle that burns twice as bright, lasts half as long. Saturday July 15th at 3:00 AM I received another call, this time from Lisa – a call I knew I’d get at some point far in the future, a call that brought me here to share these words with you all today.
Joy Michael Marie Armbrust, was a passionate friend, a caring companion, a baby sister, and a loving mother. She was fierce in all that she did and believed. She loved adventure, exploration, and giving others defining experiences. Her laugh was unforgettable and will ring in the memories of all those who heard it. My mom will be sorely missed by many but we can take comfort in the fact that the Lord has surely prepared one of his grandest mansions for her.
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Melissa (Lisa) Armbrust posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
I am so glad God gave me a younger sister. You gave me someone to protect during all the chaos growing up and someone to admire. You have such a contagious presence and when you wanted to you could light up a room with your laugh and smile. I also thank God we studied and encouraged each other with his Word. Your testimony after your strokes showed all who regned in your life. Finally everything is butterflies and rainbows all the time........love always lisa
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Christine St.Pierre lit a candle
Monday, July 24, 2023
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My sincerest condolences to all of her family. Joy was the best!! She believed in my art and I have known her for many years. I will miss our conversations and her big hugs. She brightened every room she was in...
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Teresa Horstman planted a tree in memory of Joy Armbrust
Monday, July 24, 2023
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I will always cherish our friendship. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Teresa Horstman uploaded photo(s)
Monday, July 24, 2023
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Oh, Joy. It’s impossible for me to sum up a friendship of over 40 years. You brought a whole new dimension and perspective to my life. I remember young us taking chances, decorating friends’ front doors, and chasing the sun. As we got older and dealt with life’s challenges, we changed and grew and helped each other through it. We had a connection that defied explanation and was unlike anything else in my life. Len always knew who I was talking to when I talked to you, because I laughed so much with you! I miss you fiercely, and I’m really looking forward to chasing the sun with you again one day. Fly high!
A Memorial Tree was planted for Joy Armbrust
Friday, July 21, 2023
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Riposta Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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The family of Joy Michael Marie Armbrust uploaded a photo
Friday, July 21, 2023
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