Jean Joyce

Jean McDonald Joyce, age 91, passed away at Nightingale Nursing and Rehab Center, Erie, on April 14, 2022. She was born in Marion, Virginia, August 20, 1930 to the late George and Selma [nee Kegley] McDonald.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband the Reverend William Gordon Joyce in 2003, her son Michael Richard Joyce in 1974, and her sister Nancy McDonald, in 2005.

She is survived by her son, Philip Gordon Joyce, his wife Rita M. Hilton of Arlington Virginia, and three grandchildren: Christopher Michael Joyce (and his wife Kelcey Cate Joyce) of Seattle, Washington; Mariah Ellen Joyce of Chicago, Illinois; and Samuel Hilton Joyce of Arlington, Virginia. Jean is also survived by nieces and nephews (Joyce family side in the Bridgeton, NJ area) and cousins (McDonald family side in the Marion, VA area).

Jean graduated from Marion High School, Marion Junior College, and Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA). After moving to the Erie, PA area from Clarksburg WV in 1970, Jean was an active volunteer in the Erie area. She served on the Church Council of the former St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church where her husband served as Pastor until his retirement. Jean also helped to found the McKean Preschool in McKean, chaired the board of PROPS (Parents Reaching Out to Parents in Sorrow) after her son Michael’s death, was involved with the Boards for both the Holy Trinity Community Center and the Bethesda Children’s Home, and chaired the Board of Mercy Center for Women in its early years.

In her leisure time Jean was an avid bird watcher and supporter of outdoor education.

Friends are invited to funeral services at Luther Memorial Church, 225 W. 10th St, Erie on Wednesday, April 27th at 11 am with Reverend Brian Moran officiating. Private interment.

The service can be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/luthermemorialonline/featured

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Mercy Center for Women or Compassionate Friends.