Life Tributes

Life was long and sweet for Rachel Joyce, who passed away May 1, 2022 after a brief illness. Her 97 years were filled with love, joy and many accomplishments. The youngest of Walter and Daysie Zimmerman’s six children, Rachel lived her early years in Mechanicsburg, PA. She graduated from Gettysburg College in 1947, where she met her husband Louis C. Joyce, 3rd. They married in 1947 and enjoyed a strong and loving marriage for 56 years until Louis’s death in 2003. Rachel is survived by their two sons’ Louis (Kory) of Alloway NJ and Craig of Denver, CO, grandchildren Heather Hancz, Andrew Joyce, Tyler Joyce, Emily Joyce, Colin Joyce and Madeleine Joyce, great-grandchild Jethro Hancz, her sister Alice Creager and many nieces and nephews. A long-time teacher and counsellor, Rachel worked in the Gloucester Township Public schools for 33 years, initially teaching 5th grade, then transitioning to counselling. Along the way she earned a master’s degree in 1966 from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University).

Graced with a calm demeanor, she remained unflappable in the face of her students’ and sons’ antics. She was the stabilizing counterpoint to her ebullient and energetic husband Lou. Always active, she played basketball and volleyball in high school, in addition to drama, glee club and student government positions. She was an active member of Chi Omega sorority at Gettysburg. While raising her family and working full time, Rachel also coached in a girls’ softball league, taught Sunday school, captained her bowling team (Joyce’s Jets) and vanquished many opponents at the bridge table. Her skill at cards translated to luck at the casinos, too, always returning with more than she took, even after buying her losing husband’s dinner. Lou was a devoted Rotarian, back when Rotary had no women members. Undeterred, she founded the Blackwood Rotary Anns and the wives accomplished as much as the men. Rachel was renowned for her skills with a sewing machine and a needlepoint frame. Never idle, she created fabulous artistic works in counted cross-stitch as gifts for family and friends well into her 90’s. Her gardens were bounteous and beautiful. And to her last day, she never lost her keen wit or winning smile.

Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11:00 am the Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 East Clements Bridge Road, Runnemede, New Jersey 08078. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Rachel’s memory to the Trinity Lutheran Church.