Jean "Joy" Plooster

Jean Joy Plooster (b. September 1942) passed away on May 17, 2025. The second daughter born to Cornelius and Beverly Plooster, she was an athletic tomboy early on, leaping and cartwheeling when others walked, and appropriately majoring in physical education in college. She moved to Colorado from Minnesota about 1972 to teach physical education and dance at UC and a Fort Collins high school, where she was much loved.

People often said that Joy had the perfect name-she WAS Joy! After several years of teaching, she became a dispatcher at the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, where she worked for 35 years. In that job she received a letter of commendation for her work during the Big Thompson Canyon flood.
Upon retirement she volunteered for years at the Fort Collins Hospital Breast Cancer Center. Unfortunately, she suffered from osteoporosis and experienced several spontaneous fractures, including two of her spine. She entered assisted living at Good Samaritan Society and when the need for dementia care arose, moved to Collinwood Memory Care--who would have thought such a vibrant soul would suffer from that illness! We are grateful to both institutions for their loving care.

She is survived by her sister, 2 nephews, 3 grand-nephews and nieces. And thank you to two special friends Alice Rodrigues and Julie Mitchell who visited her all the years and took her to Culver's for her favorite treats.

No services are planned, but we will cherish her in our hearts. Please direct any memorials to animal welfare in honor of her beloved cat Winchester.