Joyce Tusan-Dalton Remembered in Heartfelt Facebook Comments

Davis resident and Vanden High School art teacher Joyce Tusan-Dalton passed away after a kayaking accident on the American River Sunday.

Her students and peers have expressed their fond memories via Facebook since news of the accident began to spread. 

Tusan-Dalton, 57, was in a two-person kayak that flipped near the Watt Avenue bridge. Her kayaking partner was swept away, while Tusan-Dalton was trapped under water for about 20 minutes. Her companion and others tried to save her, but were not able to do so with their limited resources.

Students, friends and family members have taken their heartfelt messages to her Facebook wall. Here is what some of them had to say: 

Kyle Fleming - Joyce you were my art teacher and a good friend of mine. You were there when nobody else was. You helped me when my grandmother passed, I will miss you so dearly! I am blessed to have known you, and to cherish all our memories we had. I love you and miss you!! I will be praying for your family and friends!

Janessa Mosqueda - R.I.P. I'm glad to say that I knew you. You inspired me to just have fun and enjoy the little the things in life. I will never forget the memories we had or all our inside jokes. Thank you for being a big part of my life you will be missed.

Kalie Shalayne Gregersen - Rest in Peace Ms. Joyce Tusan-Dalton! You are an amazing soul! Thank you for all the talks you shared with me. You were able to lift my spirits and put a smile on my face when I needed it, and I like to think I did the same for you! Your body may have been taken from this earth but your soul will live on and bring happiness and positiveness to many other things in life. Miss you!

Sami Nikole Joniaux - Joyce Tusan-Dalton, you were more than a teacher, more like a mother and a best friend. You taught me how to be a better artist, and conspirer :P. Halloween will never be the same with out your extremely intense outfits. Miss kitty will miss you, as will I. Blood may not bind us, but our understanding of art and sheer love of gossip will. I love you so much and will never forget you. You will live in my art, I promise.

Alisha Vaylene - Rest in peace. You were amazing and always believed in me, even when I didn't believe myself and I will always thank you for that. ♥

Haleigh Brianne Burger - ♥ Ms. Dalton, you inspired me to be all I could be.

Nicole Henry - RIP Ms. Joyce Tusan-Dalton, your loving smile and amazing character will forever be missed.

Rena Young - RIP I'll always remember the fun I had in your classes. You will be missed. ♥

Katie Golemis - As small as my words may be, I hope the prayer I said reaches you.

Sapna Sharma - you will be missed by many of us out here, you had taught me alot in art class n gave me new inspiration for the love of art. May God give your soul peace in Heaven.

Eamonn Mayfield - RIP Ms. Joyce Tusan-Dalton, you will forever be my favorite and i could never forget how much you impact my life. my love goes to your family and the significant other we never got to meet, we all love you sooooo much and i speak for many. ill see you eventually.

Memorial information will posted on Tusan-Dalton's Facebook wall, which you can visit here.