Arts & History Advocate Joy Gough Has Passed Away
Article Presented By Rathkamp Financial…
(Chillicothe) – A longtime advocate of the arts and historical communities in Chillicothe/Ross County has passed away following a lengthy illness. Joy Gough died just days before her 94th birthday.
Here is the obituary for Joy Gough, as posted by Ware Funeral Home:
With solemn hearts, we announce the passing of Jocelyn “Joy” Ann Gough of Chillicothe, Ohio. Her presence will be deeply missed. She departed on June 22, 2025 with her family by her side. She is survived by her husband Alan Gough, son Robert Gough, daughter-in-law Marti Gough and son-in-law John Boulger.
She was born to Vern “Red” and Jean Olcott in Grand Rapids Michigan on June 28, 1931. Joy was the middle sibling to her older brother “Vern” and younger sister “Deane”.
She was predeceased by: her parents “Red” and “Jean” Olcott, daughter Kathryn, and brother “Vern” and sister “Deane”.
She attended Albion college, later transferring to Ray-Vogue art school in Chicago, IL. in pursuit of a career in the arts. She professionally was commissioned for public and private works as an interior designer in Chicago.
She met Alan at Portage Point Resort on her birthday while working as a “coffee girl.” Alan and Joy corresponded until they dated later that year in 1950. They married in Allegan, Michigan on August 23, 1952 and would have celebrated their 73rd anniversary this year. They were only separated when Alan served in the Army.
Joy and Alan moved to Chillicothe in 1964. Their first apartment was on 6 West 5th Street before moving into their current home. Joy gave birth to Robert in 1965 and Kathryn in 1968.
Joy was very active in the arts and historical knowledge of Ross County. She helped create a Chillicothe map defining the historical homes in the area. She loved designing (and drawing up) theater costumes for the civic theater. She was a major proponent in saving the Lucy Webb Hayes home (wife of president Rutherford B Hayes). She loved anything historical including the Mound City Hopewell culture. To immerse Robert and Kathryn in the arts, she helped bring the Cincinnati and Columbus symphonies to perform at the Adena mansion and Yoctangee park. Recently, she helped to establish the OUC Library of the arts section named Gough, with volumes connected with arts and history.
Joy was an accomplished artist in her own right with her watercolor paintings and poems being featured in many exhibits throughout the years. She loved painting with watercolor favorite landscapes depicting Michigan and Ohio, animals and family members She loved composing poetry of things that moved her like the shores of lake Michigan and hills of Ohio. She helped organize several “all family” art shows including Alan, Joy, Robert and Kathryn.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider supporting the local Chillicothe Civic Theater arts or historical organizations.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday July 26 at 3:33 pm at the Trinity United Methodist Church fellowship hall. 24 S Mulberry St, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Arrangements are under the direction of the WARE FUNERAL HOME.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joycelyn Ann “Joy” Gough, please visit our floral store.
