January 01, 1970
Joyce Deets Fugini, age 87, of Cranberry Township, PA passed away at UPMC Passavant McCandless on the morning of May 15th following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law, and many adoring friends in the preceding days. Daughter of late Helen (Rohrbach) and Charles Deets; sister of Janet (Major) McCollough; devoted wife of 54 years to her husband Alfred who preceded her in death; mother of Lisa (Kevin) Murphy of Land O’Lakes, FL, Tom (Paige) of Mt. Airy, MD, and Laura (David) Kurywchak of Cranberry Township, PA; loving and devoted grandmother of Connor Murphy, Brayden and Tatum Fugini, and Michael (Sydney), Matthew, and Natalie Kurywchak; sisters-in-law Rose Rumbaugh and Sylvia Pennington, and brother-in-law Vincent; and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was a lifelong learner and greatly valued the power of education. She was chosen to represent her graduating class at Karns City High School as Valedictorian. Following high school, she attended Grove City College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce in 1958 and was a member of Alpha Theta Mu Honor Society and Gamma Chi sorority. Her career included teaching Business Education at Erie McDowell High School, working many years as a bookkeeper for Trybus Company, Inc. and teaching evening continuing education courses at CCAC. In her hobbies, she found joy in challenging herself to be fastidious to the details and continually improving her skills. For many decades, she was passionate about quilting and created many artistic pieces, often tearing out and starting over if the corners didn’t meet exactly. She put this same energy into bridge games, reading, and piano.
She had a servant’s heart and saw her purpose as helping others. As a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, Joyce never tired in serving her family and placing everyone’s needs before her own. Her children will remember her tireless dedication to caring for their father as his health declined. She sought opportunities to help her children and grandchildren without needing to be asked, whether it was dropping off meals on a busy week, coming to the rescue countless times to babysit on snow days and care for sick kids, and even making the trip to her grandchildren’s bus stop so they never had to walk home in the rain. Her grandchildren will always remember her as the grandma who hosted sleepovers, let them run through the sprinkler system on hot summer days, livened up holiday dinners with games and prizes, and always made sure there were cookies on hand. She volunteered at UPMC Passavant McCandless for many years following retirement and spoke especially fondly of her time in the Surgical Waiting area.
As a friend, she will be missed by many who knew her from the days of raising her children in McCandless Township, her later years in Cranberry Township and Vincentian Villa, and from the many clubs and organizations in which she participated over the years. Always keeping busy, she made and kept dear friends through her bridge clubs, book clubs, North Pittsburgh Quilters Guild, and as a formidable Words With Friends opponent. In addition to many great friends, Joyce was especially close with her sister, Janet, and always looked forward to their Facetime calls, visits, and travels over the years.
The family wishes to thank the staff at UPMC Passavant McCandless for the compassionate care she received in her final days, particularly the staff of 4N Pavilion, the Respiratory and Palliative team, and Pulmonary Partners.
A memorial mass will be held at Divine Grace Parish, St Ferdinand Church in Cranberry Township on Friday, June 28th at 11 a.m. with private interment at Hemphill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations at www.passavanthospitalfoundation.org.
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Have only known Joyce for the last two years, since I moved to Vincentian Villa. She was a blessing in my life for those two years. Deepest sympathy for your great loss.
I am so sorry to hear of Joyce’s passing. I send my deepest sympathy to her family.
I got to know Joyce through St. Ferdinand’s Friends and Fun group. Joyce was a very special person, and I wish I could’ve gotten to know her more. We had a very nice visit together on April 18 at Tara, and I couldn’t understand why I didn’t hear back from her the several times I left messages, only to discover a wonderful person whose loss is heaven’s gain.
May God receive her joyfully and grant peace to all who were blessed to know her. With my deepest sympathy. Gloria Virostek
How lucky we are to have had Joyce in our lives. May comfort, peace and cherished memories be with you all.
So sorry for your loss. Joyce was such a pleasure to know here at Vincention Villa. My sympathy to the family.
Blessings, Gwen Spahr
Please accept our sympathies on the loss of Joyce. My dad, Bob McGuire, and Chuck Deets were very close friends. I remember seeing Joyce when I was younger and also hearing stories of what a wonderful woman she was. May she rest In eternal peace.
I worked with Joyce at The Trybus Co for almost 20 years. She taught me so much, was a great friend. We called ourselves The Bee girls. Knew Al and all the children. Such great memories that will stay with me forever. Joyce is a wonderful person I am privileged to know her so well
God bless her as she’s reunited with Al
Joyce was a wonderful friend, and we will miss her so much. She was a very caring and loving woman, and we will forever treasure having the opportunity of having her friendship. She loved taking road trips with us and we loved taking her places.
I am heartbroken at the loss of my friend Joyce. What a remarkable woman. I will cherish the many outings we had together – fireworks, swimming at the Y, monthly ladies lunch/dinner, book club, card club, – just to name a few. As wonderful as she was to all on earth, I truly believe she will help take care of us here yet from her heavenly seat.
She was a charming lady. She sat at our table atvAtria for meals. We were shocked to hear of her passing. May she rest in peace.
Please accept my heart-felt condolences
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the death of Joyce. I knew her through Vincentian Villa. I spent many hours with Joyce in Bookclub, playing 500 and bridge and just talking. She was a joy to know and I am thankful for the privilege of knowing her. I am sure that her memory will be a blessing to her family.
Our Deepest Sympathy for your loss. Joyce was such a delightful person and will be missed by all who knew her.