Dr. Joan M. Joyce

Joyce, Dr. Joan M., 83, of Brandon passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2013. She was born on August 17, 1929 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to William G. and Anna Flaherty O’Malley. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Ryan Joyce; brothers, Thomas, Billy and Bobby O’Malley and sister, Grace Schimelfenig. Survivors include her daughter, Patricia A. Joyce; sons, Edward P. Joyce, Matthew K. Joyce (Lisa) and Michael Joyce (Debbie); brothers, Jack O’Malley (Sheila) and Jerry O’Malley (Judy); sister-in-laws, Mary O’Malley and Dorothy Joyce; grandchildren, Jaime Brown (Chris), Matthew Joyce, Danielle Joyce, Brianna Joyce, Ryan Joyce, Sean Joyce, Troy Joyce and Franklin Gomez; great-grandson, Bronson Brown; a host of nieces and nephews.

Joan was accomplished in her beloved field of nursing, receiving high honors in all her degrees. She earned a diploma in registered nursing from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Scranton, PA; a bachelors in social science degree from the University of Rochester, NY; a master’s of arts in education and a master’s of science in nursing from the University of South Florida; a doctorate degree in educational administration from Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

She was certified as an advanced registered nurse practitioner. Joan practiced nursing for 20 years at Good Samaritan Hospital (PA), Mercy Hospital (PA) and St. Mary’s Hospital (NY). She retired after 25 years as a nursing professor and department chairman at Hillsborough Community College, Plant City. In addition to teaching responsibilities, Joan developed and implemented a totally new Associate Degree Nursing Program at the Hillsborough Community College. She initiated all aspects of the new program, curriculum development, staff recruiting and training. Also, designed the physical layout and developed a comprehensive nursing learning laboratory. Joan devised an innovative program utilizing competency-based teaching concepts.

She was a member of many professional groups including Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Kappa Phi, American Nurses’ Association, Florida Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, Florida League of Nursing, American Red Cross Disaster Services, American Heart Association and American Association for Retired Persons.

Joan wrote “Critical Care Nursing Handbook” the book was used to educate and she continuously kept current with new nursing procedures and practices.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2013 from 6-8 PM with funeral mass Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 10 AM both at Stowers Funeral Home, Brandon. Interment will follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, Brandon. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joan’s name to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, www.redcross.org/donate.