Olivia Joy Sen, the daughter of Phillip Allen Shaw Sr. and Ann Rose Shaw, was born on October 23, 1923 in Brownwood, Texas. She died in Mesquite, Tex. on Oct. 15.

Joy was a member of the armed forces during World War II, serving in the Women’s Army Air Corps. Joy was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution in Lexington, and in the Martha’s Vineyard chapter, as well as a Massachusetts state officer. She also was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, United Daughters of the War of 1812 and served as an officer in the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims.

One of Joy Sen’s greatest accomplishments was to continue a college education started at Daniel Baker College in Brownwood, Tex. Joy began her college education in 1940, which was shortened by her enlistment in the Army Air Corps during the war. She arranged with the college, which had been renamed Howard Payne University, to take the remaining 19 credits needed for a degree at Suffolk University in Massachusetts. On May 8, 1993, more than 50 years after beginning her college education and at the age of 69 years young, Joy was awarded her diploma.

Joy was preceded in death by her father, Phillip, mother, Ann, sister, Rosemary, brother, Calvin and her husband of 20 years, Bill Sen.

Joy is survived by her brother Phillip Allen Shaw Jr. and her six children, Michael Sirois and wife Minay, of Houston, Tex., Jamie Sirois of Fort Worth, Tex., Cece Hammonds and husband Lynn, of Anchorage, Alas., Maritia Millsap and husband David, of San Angelo, Tex., Phillip Sirois and wife Lee, of Sunnyvale, Tex., and Steven Sirois and wife Robyn, of May, Tex. She is also survived by two stepchildren, Jeffery Sen of Dripping Springs, Tex. and Elizabeth Sen of Illinois. In addition to her children, Joy had 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Joy leaves behind many friends and family members and will be missed by all that loved her. A memorial service will be held at the Douglass Funeral Home in Lexington on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of your choice.