Joyce Ann Marshall

Born in Paducah (eastern Kentucky) in 1934, Joyce eventually became a Kentucky housewife and mom. She was blessed with two children, Jamie and Jim (family calls him Bub). To this day the children have a remarkable resemblance to Donnie and Marie Osmond. Joyce eventually moved to Owensboro, KY where three and a half years later she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in English. She started teaching in 1965.

After becoming “Mr. and Mrs.” in 1968, Ken suggested to the love of his life, that they head back to his roots in the NYC area. Good lord she agreed to do so! That started a new chapter in her life. Teaching at Lake Wallenpaupack High School (PA) in 1970, she coached softball, tutored students, assisted back stage with school plays, and was a class sponsor for trips to Disney. All in all she was a well-respected teacher for over three decades.

After one year of retirement, in 1999, Ken and Joyce moved to Del Webb. She took advantage of the community's activities such as bridge, book clubs, tennis, dance, Red Hats, and billiards. She helped create a bunco group that played once a month for almost twenty years. Joyce's determination was a major part of her DNA. For example, she never played tennis or bridge before coming to DW. Taking lessons in both activities improved her game and friends admired her determination to do well. People enjoyed Joyce for her wit, humor, laughter, and feistiness.

Being influenced as a Baptist, dancing was taboo and therefore not part of her life. That changed in 1978 when 'disco' became the craze. So when she started taking dance lessons that determination was evident and the results were immediately noticeable. Ballroom was where she would shine but she also took ballet, jazz and tap to add to her strong dance background. She was elegant and graceful, displayed stage presence, and wore the most elaborate dresses. She just looked beautiful. Ken remembers clearly the first time he saw her. He has always said she was the most beautiful woman he ever saw. Her beauty lasted only 85 years, but her intelligence, wit and humor was wrapped in a stunning package that Ken and others will never forget.

Joyce Marshall will surely be missed.