Obituary of Joyce Larson

Joyce L. Larson, 84, of 132 Aldren Ave. Jamestown, formerly of 1776 South Main Street, Jamestown, passed away Wednesday (February 8, 2012) in St. Vincent Health Center, Erie, PA. A lifelong area resident, she was born December 5, 1927 in Jamestown, NY, a daughter of the late Fred and Anna Larson Conner. She was a 1945 graduate of Jamestown High School and remained active with the Class of 45 and enjoyed their many reunions. In earlier years she had been employed as a Secretary by Empire Mutual Insurance Company, Justrite Metal, Microline, and Watson Manufacturing Company, and finished her career at the former Fenton Park Nursing Home. Joyce was a lifelong member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was active for many years with the Immanuel Partners and the Altar Guild. With her good friends she started the Korv Dinner, which has become an annual event, served as a greeter and worked with the Joint Neighborhood Project children. She was also a member of the Post Office Employee Auxiliary. To know Joyce was to love her. Not only did she have a fun sense of humor, she was fun to be with. She and Ted made the most of retirement, spending fifteen winters as "snowbirds" in Myrtle Beach, soaking up the sun and making wonderful friendships. She was a woman of strong faith, who cherished her large community of friends, her Swedish traditions, and her life in her hometown. Always positive and upbeat, she enjoyed reading, gardening, music from "the good old days," sharing a cup of coffee and a cookie with friends, and never missed a crossword puzzle or a chance to brighten someone's day. Her greatest love was reserved for her family--her beloved Ted, with whom she shared almost 52 years of marriage and countless smiles and moments of happiness; her pride and joy, her daughter Wendy; her dear son-in-law Chris; and her sweethearts--her grandchildren, Olivia and Will. Weather cheering them on at a sporting event, teaching them gin rummy, giggling over whispered secrets, baking them a special strawberry shortcake, or giving them hugs and kisses, being their MorMor was everything to her. Surviving are her husband Ted E. Larson whom she married on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1960, a daughter Wendy (Chris) Loggia of Westfield, NJ; two grandchildren Olivia Joyce Loggia, William C. Loggia of Westfield, NJ; a stepdaughter, Nancy (Tim) Carney of Green Cove Springs, FL; and a step-granddaughter Megan (Brad) Funkhouser of Tallahassee, FL. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Muriel (Howard) Gustafson. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday in the Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Rev. Alison L Leitzel, pastor and the Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, chaplain of Lutheran Social Services will officiate. Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 556 East Second St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Lutheran Social Services Foundation, Memorial Brick Program, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, NY 14701.