Joyce A Gray Gist

Joyce Ann Gist (Drenski), 77, of Largo, Florida peacefully commended her spirit unto the Lord at 6:45 PM, Saturday, September 3, 2016 in her home. She was born July 8, 1939 in Monmouth Hospital and she attended Kirkwood High School graduating in 1957.

She was married to Joseph P. Gist of Lake Forest, Illinois on June 22, 1963 who preceded her in death after 33 years of marriage in 1996. She then remarried Vince Drenski in 2000.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Ernest L. and Lillian A. Gray, her brother, Robert F. Gray, and Maggie Brown, Vince’s daughter.

Surviving her are her children: Eric (Lori), Morris (Jennie), Megan and Ardyth (Bryan); Vince’s children Sherry (Dan), Michael, and David (Mary), and 8 grandchildren who adored her.

Joyce was a long time resident of Mundelein, Illinois where she lived since leaving her childhood home in Kirkwood at the age of 21. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Physical and Art Education and completed her full teacher certification in 1969.

She went on to build a home with Joe Gist in Mundelein and they adopted Megan at birth and then Eric, Ardyth and Morris at the ages of 2,4 and 6. Her children are a living testimony of the life of love she lived being a mother.

After being in education for 17 years (teaching in Lake Forest and Mundelein ) she then pursued a career in real estate working for Koenig and Strey in Libertyville up until 1997.

In 1978, she and Joe were able to purchase their “retirement” home in Largo, Florida in Imperial Pointe and were able to make that retirement dream come true in 1995. Joyce continued to be a snow bird between the mid-west and Largo for the rest of her retirement years.

Vince and Joyce met at Eric and Lori’s wedding and it was a warm loving relationship that led to their marriage in 2000. Vince was ever steady and faithful with Joyce up until the end. He never left her side in their 16 years of marriage. They celebrated life together to the fullest, spending time with family and friends and loved going on many vacations where they shared many memories all over the world.

Joyce loved just about anything that resembled a project. Her main outlet and passion in her later years was being a watercolor artist. Another passion equally important to her was her gardening and always being active in golf, water aerobics, and other outdoor activities. She enjoyed visiting garage sales and always getting a good bargain.

***Please note: There will be TWO Celebration of Life Funeral services. One will be in Florida and one will be in Illinois.

***Florida Services***

Date: September 17,2016 at 11 a.m. EST

Location: St Jerome's Catholic Church Little Chapel

Address: 10895 Hamlin Blvd, Largo, FL 33774

Luncheon following.

Announcement Made at the Service for Location.

***Illinois Services***

Visitation

Date: Friday, October 7, 2016 5-8pm CST

Location: Wenban Funeral Home

Address: 320 Vine Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Interment Services:

A short service will be conducted at Wenban before the processional to the cemetery.

Date: October 8, 2016 at 10 am CST

Location: Wenban Funeral Home

Address: 320 Vine Ave, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Processional

Saint Mary’s Cemetery

1525 N.Lake Road

Lake Forest, IL 60045.