Helen E. Yingling Joyce

Helen Yingling Joyce, 71, of Eighty-Four, passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, after a long illness. Born May 11, 1940, Mrs. Joyce is survived by her beloved husband, James, son David (Debbie) and daughter Amy (Steven Ginsberg) as well as adoring grandchildren Aidan, Ian, Sam and Jonah. She is also survived by her loving brother James Yingling and sister-in-law Mary, loving sisters-in-law Mary Ann Stoessel and Grace Joyce and brother-in-law William Stoessel, stepsister Janet Huggins, as well as many nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Margaret and stepmother Frances. She received her BS in art education at Indiana State College, taught art near Harrisburg, and then received her Masters in art at the University of Pittsburgh. She taught art in Mt. Lebanon and most recently at St. Louise de Marillac School, retiring in 2000. A former president of the Christian Mothers, Eucharistic minister at Washington Hospital and Immaculate Conception, and active member in the Ladies of Charity, she loved traveling, seeing friends, baking, biking, reading, gardening, painting and drawing. She was a true lover of life, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend, with a genuinely positive outlook about everything and everyone. She will be achingly missed by many who hope to carry on her brightness in this life. Friends will be received Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m., and Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 4th, in Immaculate Conception Church, with Father James Young as celebrant. Burial will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers: Immaculate Conception Church and School, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington, PA 15301 (724) 225-1425 www.icwashpa.org; Washington Hospital, Donnell House Hospice Care, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301, (724) 225-7000; Casa for Kids, 30 East Beau Street, Suite 417, Washington, PA 15301, http://www.casawashingtoncounty.org/