Rose Joyce Obituary

Well Grandma, This would be your 80th birthday today. I love you and miss you so much. I miss grandpa too but you guys are now together and get to celebrate your birthday together. I know that you have been keeping a close eye on me and I appreciate it so much. I love you and miss you.

Thanks Grandma, I knew you were there the day I got in the accident...I wore my seatbelt and walked away without an injury. You were there just like you always will be for all of us.

"We remember thee in this solemn hour, our dear mother. We remember the days when, thou didst dwell on earth, and thy tender love watched over us like a guardian angel. Thou has gone from us, but the bond which unites our souls can never be severed; thine image lives within our hearts. May the merciful Father reward thee for the faithfulness and kindness thou hast ever shown us; may he lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, and grant thee eternal peace! Amen."

Mom,

You are the very best mom. I miss you so very much. You were so good to all of us. My heart aches since you went to heaven. I know that you will always be in my heart. You gave us wonderful memories. I love you with all my heart. Your Joney XXXXX OOOOO

Dear Mom,

I miss you so much. But I have such wonderful memories of a happy loving home. You were always there for us. I only hope that I can raise my children as well as you did. I know I have your sweet tooth. I think we all do. After I got married I didn't live close so I didn't get to see you that often, but I could always talk to you on the phone. I am really going to miss that. But some day we will be reunited. You will always be in my heart.

Love Patty

My Father, my sisters and I would like to express our sincere thanks for the wonderful outpouring of love and support you have all shown our family. I want to extend a very special thanks to my wife Diane, my brothers in law Fred, Bill, Len and Steve. Their support of us was immediate and infinite. Thank you!



A hundred years from now it will not matter what your bank account was, the type of house you lived in or the kind of car you drove, but that the world may be a better place because you were important in the life of a child.



Our mother was important in the lives of five children, fourteen grand children, one great grandchild and so many of our friends. The Joyce house always had an extra toy, a seat at the table and a welcome mat that really meant it. Our holidays always found us with a house full of people. If your family was far away and you couldn’t get there for Christmas, you became a part of our family.



This past Thanksgiving and Christmas our family grew a little more. At Thanksgiving we adopted the staff at Sub-Acute in Fort Atkinson Hospital.



At Christmas, we adopted the staff and residents at Clear Lake Assisted Living. Father Nolan of Saint Joseph’s parish came out to celebrate Christmas Mass for our family and to nobody’s surprise, Santa Clause showed up. As we reflected on our family Christmas’ past, our spouses spoke of how they were always made to feel more like sons and a daughter than in laws.



My brother-in-law told me that in the 30 plus years he has known my mother, he never heard her raise her voice in anger toward any one, not even her own children. I know otherwise. Believe me, my mother never made it a secret that I was personally responsible for a lot of gray hair. But no matter what, I was still her favorite son.



Our mother has touched each of us here in some way. Maybe she was your sister or your sister-in-law, or your aunt or cousin or your mother-in-law or the mother-in-law of your family member. Maybe she was a friend or neighbor or the mother of someone you work with or even just someone you knew. Some how, through us or through her directly, her goodness touched your life. Our mother had great faith. She was honest, kind, loving and strong. This is our mother.



The last two years were difficult for her and our family. When we learned she had cancer, it floored us. Then we learned that our dad would need open heart surgery. We all rallied around each other and made each birthday, anniversary, holiday and every other day special.



While pacing the halls of Saint Mary’s Hospital waiting for our Dad to return from open-heart surgery, I walked past a poster at least a hundred times. The poster read, “You can complain that there are thorns on a rose bush or you can rejoice that there are roses on a thorn bush… You decide.” I think our mother was the rose on the thorn bush of life.

Dear Grandma Joyce,There are not enough words to express the emptiness we all feel here,but we know you are watching over us,just like you did before,for so many years.You were always there to watch over first your loving family,and then as time went by the family grew,and many grandchildren,and great grandchild later,you were still keeping a watchful eye,ready to help in anyway you could with Grandpa at your side.No matter what the problem,there were always words of encouragement,whether it was to the grandkids,in-laws ,daughters,other family members and even Grandpa sometimes.There are so many good memories we have shared through the years,that will never be forgotten.And you and Grandpa never ever,wavered from helping your family.There is just not enough time to tell all the wonderful things that meant so much to so many people,who's lives you have touched.There is a special place ,for really special people,and we know you are there watching over us ,as you always have.I have been so lucky to have known you all these 32years,not only as mother-in-law,but as a really wonderful person who really cared about everyone,no matter who it was,and how lucky all those other people were,even if they met you only once.It is not how you battled your sickness,though valiantly,it was the wonderful way you lived your extroadinary life of caring,love,devotion to your family and friends,and for that we are truly thankful for you having been a part our lives,God Bless You,until we meet again,Love Bill.O.Sr.

Grandma,

That you were through and through! I loved when we used to play bunco on the island when Grandpa was outside working. We always had a great time and you always had a treat for us! When we went to visit you in Florida you always took us swimming in the morning. Grandma and Grandpa always through a birthday party for me before we went home. Every year it was unexpected! I loved you and will miss you forever!

Lots of Love,

Jenny

Grandma,

I love you and I miss you. I loved going to your house and playing bunco, I loved going over there for the holidays and I loved talking to you. I love you Grandma.

Love always,

Katie

As children we can't comprehend or fully realize the meaning of our mothers love, how tender and how wise. All the little things she did in her own way, years go by before we look back on life and see through older eyes and wiser hearts her love and loyalty, and yet it's these special things we hold so dear,for memories of her steadfast love will keep her ever near.

ROSE JOYCE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL HER FRIENDS AT HOLIDAY CONDO PARK. SHE WAS A SWEET LADY AND WE ENJOYED HER FRIENDSHIP VERY MUCH.

Grandma -



I miss you so much already. I will always remember you and grandpa letting 4 college kids stay with you in Ft. Meyers for their spring break - what a deal! You made us dinner every night and even made me a cake for my birthday...



I'll never forget Christmases at your house in Bridgeport or on Drake...



I always looked forward to my birthday wakeup call from you and grandpa. Hearing you sing was much better than an alarm clock...



I hope you're not mad at me for never making my 9:00 curfew;)



Thank you for everything that you taught me and for all the love that you have given me. I love you and will miss you always.



Love,

Mary Pat

MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS You can see it in their eyes,in tender hugs and long good-byes, a love that only moms and daughters know. You can see it in their smiles, through passing years and changing styles, a friendship that continually seems to grow. You can see it in their lives,the joy each one of them derives, in just knowing that the other one is there.... To care and to understand, lend an ear or hold a hand, and celebrate the memories they share. Thanks mom for all the wonderful memories. I miss you.

Grandma, I will always remember:

Your smile;

Your brown eyes;

Christmases at your house;

Your hugs and kisses;

Your plastic-fork fans;

My First Communion veil;

My crocheted pink blanket;

Jeremy sleeping in your arms the first time I saw him;

You and Grandpa calling to sing "Happy Birthday" every year;

Talking to you and Grandpa on the phone at the same time;

The oatmeal cookies you'd give me when I was in college;

You teaching me to be nice to everyone; and

Your love and concern for your grandkids...

Auntie Rose you will be missed, you'll always have a space in my heart

Grandma,

I already miss you a whole bunch and I know that feeling will only grow. I know that you are with God and are feeling young again. I know I will see you again someday. You are always going to be in my heart. I feel that you are looking down on me and the rest of our family. Thank you for being a wonderful grandma. I love you Grandma and I will miss you.

Love always,

Elizabeth

WHAT IS A GRANDMA?

A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories.

She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes.

She is someone you can tell your secrets and worries to,

And she hopes and prays that all your dreams come true.

She always loves you, no matter what.

She can see past temper tantrums and bad moods,

And makes it clear that they don't affect how precious you are to her.

She is an encouraging word and a tender touch. She is full of proud smiles.

She is the one person in the world who loves you with all her heart,

Who remembers the child you were and cherishes the person you've become.~Barbara Cage



The life you have lived, the Kindness and Love you have shown are cherished memories of you, I will hold forever in my heart. With Love from your Kristi

I will miss you so very much Grandma. You were my only grandma, and the best one at that. I love you so much. One day we will meet again, but until that day, i will pray for you while you look down on me. I love you and miss you always.

*Kelly*

Bill,



Ginger and I are very sorry to hear about Rose passing away. We will have a mass said for her here in Ft Myers.

Our deepest sympathy to Pat and her family from her colleagues at Homer District 33-C.

A beautiful woman, wife and mother who will be fondly remembered by my family and me.

I loved my Aunt Rose and I think that anyone who knew her loved her, too. She always had a smile on her face. She was so kind, loving and generous. She will truly be missed.



I have a picture of Aunt Rose from the day I visited her and Uncle Bill with my Mom, Aunt Josephine and Aunt Mary Lou..."The Traveling Aunts." It meant so much to all of us to see her and Uncle Bill that day. We felt so welcome!! I love that picture and it sits on my desk at work. She is still smiling at me!!!



Aunt Rose has a wonderful husband and family and she knew how much they loved her. Now, I just wanted her to know that I loved her.



Take Care and God Bless you at this time.



Pat Barrett Shea