Linda J. Joyce Obituary (2020)

Linda J. Joyce (nee Zawacki), 70, passed peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2020, surrounded by her family, after a many years-long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Cherished and beloved wife of Mike, Loving mother of Michael Jr. (Sarah), and Jennifer. Linda was the fourth of 10 children, born to Roman and Gail Zawacki. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her brother, Michael and sister, Melanie. She is survived by brothers and sisters: Diane Lamielle (Harry), Jerry Zawacki, Jim Zawacki (Nancy), Bob Zawacki (Janell), Sharon Everly, Alyce Corbin (Milt), Paul Zawacki (Dana). Also survived by countless nephews and nieces, including her three Goddaughters, Gail, Jessica, and Lori, and many great-nephews and great-nieces. Linda was born at home on Indiana Ave. in Kensington and her family moved to Van Kirk St. in Wissinoming when she was about 6 or 7. They were a tight-knit family from the start. She was a tomboy and enjoyed playing with Army men with her brother Bob. She also preferred playing baseball and touch football, as opposed to playing with dolls with her sisters. She had fond memories of going to her aunt's farm in Coatesville, PA, during the summers of her childhood. Linda graduated St. Bartholomew's Grade School (1963) in Wissinoming, St. Hubert's High School (1967) in Mayfair, and St. Mary's School of Nursing (1971) in Fishtown. She worked at Stetson Hospital in Philadelphia to pay for nursing school. In the 1970s, she worked as a nurse at Nazareth Hospital in the neonatal ICU, nursery and pediatrics. In the 1980s, she worked as a home-health care professional. And in the 1990s and 2000s, she worked as a nurse in several doctors' offices, until her retirement at age 60. First and foremost, Linda was a caring, compassionate and generous woman. She seemed to love everyone and made friends easily. People would walk up to her and talk to her no matter where she was. If someone needed something she would always do her best to help them out, including taking care of the neighbors. Family was always important to her and cherished by her. She was happiest when spending time with family. She always loved and felt loved by everyone in the family and was extremely proud of each and every one of them. Remembering when she lived away from home during nursing school, she tried to send her nephews and nieces care packages during their first year away from home, at college. Linda always enjoyed passing her time reading, doing word puzzles and listening to music. She loved spending time with family and hosting and attending family parties and get-togethers. She enjoyed celebrating all of the holidays, always decorating the house and visiting or inviting family over. She had homemade and store-bought refrigerator magnets for all of the holidays! Her favorite holiday was Christmas! She loved celebrating the entire season. She always enjoyed decorating the whole house, hosting family, listening to Christmas music and baking her famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, that she would only make at Christmas. She always made enough to give out to everyone. Everybody loved Linda's chocolate chip cookies!! She loved traveling with her husband, Mike. Her favorite place to go on vacation was to the beach! They spent time on most of the beaches from Maine to Florida. She never liked going into the ocean, but loved going on the beaches early in the morning to watch the sunrise and to collect seashells. But she could spend the entire day on the beach! She also enjoyed going to Disneyworld. Her favorite Disney character was always Tinkerbell. She collected many figurines, shirts, stationery, etc. She could never resist a new Tink! She and Mike took the trip of their dreams in 2017! It was a month-long train ride across the United States, that started and ended in Buffalo, NY, with stops in Chicago, Reno, Lake Almanor, San Francisco and Seattle. She will be sorely missed by family, friends and anyone whose life she touched. Relatives and Friends are invited to attend her Funeral Thursday, December 3, 2020 St. Matthew Church (Upper) 3000 Cottman Ave Philadelphia PA 19149 from 9:15 - 10:15 AM followed by her Funeral Mass 10:30 AM. Rite of Committal Our Lady of Grace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory at www.ALZ.org/donatenow