The spark in every room
Joslyn, a beautiful soul inside and out, was silly, artistic, and talented. She never said no to adventure, loved all things furry, fuzzy, creepy, or crawly, and delighted in trying new menus, though music was her “soul food.” Music always surrounded her, whether it was Taylor Swift, rap, or classic rock. She was bold and funny in any situation, aiming for laughs, even if it meant seeming foolish in the process. Her high vibration spirit comforted and soothed anyone in her presence. Jos was the silly-putty between the sibling trio with her sister Carolyn and brother John, sharing their love through music, thrifting, and antics. Her neighbor, Miranda, along with her three friends Katie, Sydney, and Angela, formed a second sisterhood, their love indisputable and everlasting.
Joslyn’s days were filled with music, cooking, art, vlogging, socializing, travel, hairstyles, fashion, pets, and finding deals wherever she could. Passionate about food, she loved preparing meals for anyone who would let her. Dipping sauces were essential, and compliments to the chef made the effort worthwhile. Cooking was a pure expression of love for her, as were visual art and making music. Accomplished and award-winning, with distinct style and unbridled aptitude, she could create beauty with either a pencil or a piccolo. Balancing creativity with cognition, Jos was brilliant in science and math, advanced among her peers, and frustrated by “busy work” when her mind was ready for new knowledge.
In addition to creative outlets and education, Jos loved to find new experiences. Her mother, Amy, fondly remembers many trips, both for work and pleasure, brightened by Jos’s wanderlust. Whether it was Japanese cat cafes and mountaintops, or northern Wisconsin’s cabins and camping, Jos was game for exploration. As a fan of water, Joslyn made new friends and played in the lake alongside that Wisconsin cabin, enjoying the freedom of those long summer days.
Summer inevitably ends, though, and school must resume. The pandemic years and their forced isolation were tough. After finishing high school, she considered nursing school to become a traveling nurse, marrying her loves of caregiving and seeing new places. She dreamt of big city life to stave off boredom, and of helping others overcome substance use disorder however she could. Her struggle with it reduced her self-esteem, her kind heart toiling against its effects, though she remained focused on family to the end. One of the final pictures Amy has of her daughter was taken on a whirlwind trip to her uncle’s funeral, when the pair stopped for impromptu ice cream despite a lack of time and Jos’s vegan lifestyle. Her daughter’s spontaneity and zeal were high notes, though Joslyn’s serenade fell silent shortly after.
In the years since Joslyn’s passing, her family’s grief is inconceivable. To honor her daughter, Amy infuses her analytic, reserved nature with a little more freedom. Visiting former family vacation sites, celebrating her birthdays, and welcoming the outpouring of love from those she touched keep her daughter’s legacy alive. The world is quieter, harder, foggy, and apathetic without her, and the gaping hole left behind can never be filled. Though it will never restart the symphony, Amy encourages those who miss Jos the most to “Be The Light,” to introduce light in whatever ways we can find, to honor the soul who had so much brightness left to share.
Joslyn’s mother, Amy Sladky, provided the information for this narrative.
June 9, 2003-September 26, 2023-Age 20
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Jill Denton
