Elizabeth L. Joyce

On December 7, 2019, Elizabeth L. Joyce (née Herkert), loving wife and mother, passed away peacefully at the age of 71 at the Penn Medicine Hospice in West Chester, Pennsylvania. 

Betsy, as she was known by those closest to her, was born on June 24, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois to Edward Herkert and Bertha (Applei) Herkert. In 1966, Betsy completed her vocational training in secretarial studies from the Jones Commercial High School in Chicago. Her specialized training enabled her to begin her career as an executive and administrative assistant within various companies and law firms, including overseeing her own secretarial services company, Teletone, Inc.  On October 12, 1968, Betsy married Kieran (“Kelly”) E. Joyce. They raised one son, Brian E. Joyce. 

Betsy was always kind and had a genuine, compassionate spirit. She loved all animals and cared for many dogs during her lifetime as it was her innate tendency to nurture. Betsy was also an avid reader and enjoyed family outings and bicycling in the Poconos, pottery, crocheting, and learning new crafts, including her latest passion for quilting with her friends and neighbors during her retirement years.  Betsy accumulated a vast collection of china teapots, ceramic dogs and bird figurines. She daily played a fierce but friendly game of Scrabble with her sister. Betsy also loved storytelling and sharing her many unforgettable life experiences, never failing to make everyone laugh upon their retelling. 

Preceded in death by her parents, Betsy is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Kelly, her son, Brian and his partner Judith B. Wray, her sister Donna Phillips and her husband Herb Phillips, her brother Edward Herkert and his wife Eileen (Mulchrone) Herkert, and several loving nieces and nephews. She will be missed by those who were fortunate to call her family and friend, the world for whom seems less bright without her.  

Friends are invited to celebrate Betsy’s life with her family on Thursday, December 12, 2019.  Visitation with the family will be from 11:00AM until 1:00PM with a memorial service commencing at 1:00PM at the LONGWOOD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION OF MATTHEW GENEREUX, 913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, Pennsylvanaia 19348.

A luncheon reception will follow the memorial service at the Mendenhall Inn, 323 Kennett Pike, Mendenhall, PA

Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Elizabeth to Penn Medicine Hospice, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104, online at PennMedicine.org/CCHospice-give or to the ASPCA.

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