Joyce C. Lajoie

She was one of eight children of George Cyril (Cy) Sanders and Anna Barbara Sanders. Joyce had three brothers – Don, Jack and Bob; four sisters – Jean, Doris, Mary Ellen, and Chardelle. Joyce graduated in 1951 from Notre Dame High School in Hamilton, OH.

As a nursing student at St. Mary’s College, Joyce met the love of her life, David E. Lajoie, her first week as a freshman and was later married on June 13, 1953.

She maintained her passion in medicine and was always reading medical dictionaries and journals. She took classes at Richland Community College and obtained a Certificate in Floral Management in 1987. She won first place in an FTD Student Design Contest. Joyce and Dave were married for 62 years and were blessed with seven sons and one daughter.

Joyce and Dave collaborated with a friend to produce a hybrid pink rose which was a combination of three different roses. The “Jeanne Lajoie” rose is a top 10 rated miniature climbing rose and can be purchased at local nurseries. It became a Hall of Fame rose in 2001. Joyce and Dave shared a passion for gardening and had more than 300 roses and a golf green in their backyard.

Joyce and Dave also received the Best Religious Christmas Decoration numerous times for their nativity scene which began in 1970 and has continued through the present.

Joyce is predeceased by one son, James Christopher, and husband David E. Lajoie. She is survived by sons David; Bob and spouse Doloris; John and spouse Jacqueline; Vince and Barbara; Andy; Paul and spouse Marylee; and, daughter Jeanne and spouse Scott. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren: Bobby, Danny, Alex, Adam, Meghan, Christopher, Caroline, Jameson, Jackson, Max, Sullivan and Lucy Claire.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass at All Saints Catholic Church, 5231 Meadowcreek Drive, Dallas, Texas 75248 at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Visitation begins at 10:00 AM also at All Saints Catholic Church.

A reception for family and friends will be immediately following at the church. Flowers can be sent to Sparkman Funeral Home, Richardson.

Any thoughtful donations are encouraged to be directed toward the American Cancer Society.

Sparkman Richardson Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.