Obituary for Joy Chaput

Joy Alice (Phelps) Chaput was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Joy left this world unexpectedly on Monday, February 28, just before midnight at Mease Dunedin Hospital in Dunedin, Florida, where she had been admitted for a medical emergency earlier that day.

Born in 1954, Joy was raised alongside her older brother and younger sister in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, by their mother Cleo. Although it wasn’t always easy for her, she constantly strived to get the most out of life. According to her friends growing up (who are still her friends to this day), Joy’s sense of humor and sense of mischief were always with her. All of the details from the stories of her youth cannot be told here, but there definitely have been impromptu fashion shows, truancy, trespassing, and one mistaken bank robbery just to give you an idea.

Joy’s desire to have a good time was only eclipsed by her need to make sure everyone else, especially her family, was having the BEST time. When she began her own family in a tiny house in the St. Croix Valley with her husband Craig, she decided it’d be more fun to be in a bigger house. Giving up her daycare services to become a real estate agent meant she shortly thereafter moved the family to a bigger place in Lakeland. After a bit, she decided it would be even more fun to have a pool. So she worked even harder and built an even bigger house on a few acres nearby, and put in that pool. Years later her final move was to get closer to the grandkids, with lakefront property and a pontoon boat big enough for the whole clan. Joy’s life followed a pattern of: set a goal, work as hard you can, and get what you wanted.

Joy was an incredibly creative and curious person who sought out the beauty in life. She was perpetually learning a new skill, or artistic discipline. Creating the things she loved ranged from making stained glass murals to ceramic mosaic sculptures. Becoming a master gardener and tending to her flower beds and delicate orchids was just another way she cultivated beauty and joy. This, of course, meant she had an unrivaled sense of fashion and style which manifested itself in possibly her greatest learned skill: shopping. She amassed a truly impressive personal collection of clothing, hats, bags, jewelry and shoes that she would tell you were absolutely fabulous, and all bought at a discount. So many shoes.

As proud as she was of her art, gardens, and latest Neiman Marcus discount discovery, nothing brought her more pride than her family. As a grandmother of four she could be found on the sideline of the soccer field in the morning, and sitting behind third base in the afternoon. She could be heard bragging about the latest piano or guitar recital, or awards earned at the latest dance competition or gymnastics meet. Hockey rink on Saturday? No problem. Jazz band concert the next day? You bet. No matter the event, or size of the venue, one thing was guaranteed: all in attendance knew who she was cheering for.

To say that Joy’s death came as a shock would certainly be an understatement. Almost nothing Joy did in life was understated. She had a larger than life personality and was found at the center of attention as she entertained, cajoled, and influenced all who came in contact with her. Her sense of humor, rapier wit and infectious, cackling laugh (sometimes with a snort) would move anyone around her to join in. Time spent with Joy (and maybe a gin and tonic) was known to occasionally result in laughing until you cried, attempts to catch your breath and maybe, just maybe, pee your pants a little bit.

Joy would have been 68 years old this July and is survived by her husband Craig, sons Keegan (Leah) and Conor (Amy), grandchildren Logan, Jack, Colin, and Olivia, brother Jamie (Patti) Phelps, and sister Joann (Jim) Duerre.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 10th, 2022 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 9100 93rd Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445. Visitation starts at 9:30am. Mass is at 10:30am, with lunch to follow at the church.