Joy Munn

Joyce "Joy" Ringham Munn was born on a homestead near West Plains, Saskatchewan, Canada, on December 15, 1924. Her parents, Thomas and Frances (Kitty Shepherd) Ringham, met in Saskatchewan, where both had come from England to homestead. After attending school in Regina, Saskatchewan, CA, she received an occupational therapy degree from the University of Toronto. Following internships in Vancouver and Montreal, she returned to practice in Vancouver and was instrumental in establishing an Occupational Therapy program for home-bound tuberculosis patients. In the early 1950s, Joy's interest in art led her to Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, where she lived with relatives while studying applied art. Joy soon took a job at WOI Radio and TV and became WOI TV's first commercial artist, where she created the black and white artwork that the station used on the air. This eventually led to her next role as co-founder, creative director and host of "The Magic Window," one of the first children's television programs in the country, which debuted in 1951. Joy was a popular television personality in her day, and she was proud of her role in the early days of children's programming. WOI TV was the only station in Central Iowa in the early days, and the award-winning Magic Window featured activities such as handicrafts, songs, news items of interest, letters from viewers, and birthday recognition for the children watching the show. In 1952 she met Alfred "Fritz" Munn, and they married in 1953. Soon after that, Joy left The Magic Window, but the show continued for another 40 years, and The Magic Window is still the longest running children's television show in American history. She was a tireless volunteer and served on many local boards and committees. She was also instrumental in helping the City of Ames acquire the Munn Woods nature area. Joy was a talented artist, and her extended family will remember her through the many drawings and paintings she left behind. Joy spent her last years at Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames, Iowa, USA, where she continued to bring joy to the lives of the staff and residents.