Joy Lorrain McGrath, of Helena, died at home surrounded by family on September 10, 2025. Her death followed a valiant, years-long battle with a rare mitochondrial disease. She was 76 years old.

Joy was born in Los Angeles, California to Gunnar and Lorrain Rasmusson on January 23, 1949. Raised in North Hollywood, California, she attended Cal State Northridge and graduated from the University of Nevada with a degree in psychology in 1976.

While working in Yellowstone National Park, she met her future husband, Mike McGrath. They married when Mike was in the Air Force, on May 23, 1971, in New Sweden, Maine. They have two sons, Patrick and Christopher, and five grandchildren.

Joy and Mike lived in Spokane, Reno and briefly in Anchorage, Alaska before permanently settling in Helena in 1977.  Joy loved Montana, especially Helena, where she had many close friends.

A hard worker, Joy was employed in state government by the Legislative Services Division, and the Mental Health and Developmentally Disabled Services Division before serving as the director of the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor. She was the Director of the Montana Mental Health Association for many years and retired after serving 13 years as the Executive Director of Montana Shares.

Joy was a dedicated and committed public servant. She served on various boards over the years and was the President of Montana NARAL in the early 1990's.

She loved hiking, camping and floating rivers with family and friends across the West. She was an incredible cook, baker and gardener.

But her family was her first love and priority. She was a loving and compassionate mother and grandmother. Always supporting and encouraging, she was the glue that held her family together.

She is survived by her husband Mike, her sons Pat and spouse Kelly, Chris and spouse Kelly, all of Helena. She is also survived by grandchildren Tanner Bailey, Lexi McGrath, Ethan Barnicoat and Inga and Eleanor McGrath. Her brothers Paul and Lindy Rasmusson live in North Hollywood. Her sister-in law Kathleen Vasquez lives in Gulfport, Mississippi, with her family.

Joy's kindness and warm personality will be missed by all who knew her. There will be a memorial service for family and Joy's close friends at a later date.

Memorials in remembrance of Joy may be made to Prickly Pear Land Trust, PO Box 892, Helena, MT 59624, or the organization of the donor's choice.