Obituaries

Marie Bernadette Derek Joyce

Marie Joyce served in the funeral choir, as Eucharistic Minister and in the funeral ministry, Women's Guild, and 55-Plus Club at St. James Catholic Church in Sewickley.

Marie Bernadette Derek Joyce, 78, of Moon Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, after resolutely battling heart problems and cancer for many years.

As the ninth child of John and Catharine Derek of Lloydsville, PA, she was affectionately known as “Pinkie” to her family and childhood friends, and as “GrandMarie” to her precious grandsons.

She graduated from Latrobe School of Nursing in 1955 and worked at Latrobe Hospital and Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh. In 1961, she married her beloved husband, Glenn D. Joyce. Together, they raised five children.

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Marie served in the funeral choir and as President and Vice President of the Ladies of Charity at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Penn Hills; she also served as Eucharistic Minister and in the funeral ministry, Women's Guild, and 55-Plus Club at St. James Catholic Church in Sewickley.

She made numerous friends with her warm, kind, and humorous nature.

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Marie is survived by her three sons: Glenn J. Joyce, and his wife, Cynthia, of Crescent, Thomas Joyce of Penn Hills, and Daniel Joyce, and his wife, Amy, of Moon Township; two daughters: Maureen Burruss, and her husband, Robert, of Madison, Alabama, and Elizabeth Joyce of Moon Township; two grandsons: Dan Joyce, and Sam Joyce, of Moon Township; four sisters: Rita Derek, Regina “Jeanie” Hile, both of Greensburg, Pauline “Polly” Jackson of North Carolina, Bertha Cecelia Schikora of Michigan; one brother, Cyril “Jeff” Derek of Latrobe; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 32 years, Glenn D.; four sisters: Theresa Friedline and Josephine “Josie” Macey of Latrobe, Colette “Patchie” Zeglin of Greensburg, and Mary Catherine “Cassie” Zvirlblis of Ohio; and one brother, Charles “Bud” Derek of Latrobe.

Friends may call at the Copeland Funeral Home, 702 Beaver St., Sewickley, PA 15143, on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Prayers will begin at the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Father Thomas Burke, Celebrant, 200 Walnut St., Sewickley, PA 15143.

Interment will follow a family-only ceremony at Mount Hope Cemetery in Penn Hills. As an alternative to flowers, donations may be made to Forbes Hospice, 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224.


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