Visitors to this site since November 8, 2008
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
She is survived by her sons, John Ameser of Plano, Texas; Bill Ameser and life partner, Scott Turnbull, of Fairview, Texas; a daughter, Tracie Burton and her husband, Tom Burton, and grandson Zack Burton of Canton, Mich.; sister, Muriel Bethle of New Castle; and a host of other family and friends.
Kennedy obituary
From Yearbook
These were our cheerleaders: front row, Mary Jane Lewis, Jane Anne Popp, Pauline Tontsch, Gayle Anderson; back row, Sherry Plonka, Lois Tilton, Joyce Kennedy, Judy Scott.
Ready to enjoy Class Day 1952 are: front row, from left, Nancy Lewis and Nancy Lumley. Back row, from left: Lois Tilton, Judy Scott, Sherry Plonka and Joyce Kennedy.
From New Castle
Joyce Kennedy Schmitt, 75, of McKinney, Texas, passed away on Nov. 4, 2008.
She was born on Feb. 26, 1933, in New Castle, Pa., to Clarence Earl Kennedy and Betty Johnson Kennedy.
From The News
Our Squad Leaders: Front row, from left, Jane Anne Popp, Mary Jane Lewis, Lois Tilton, Connie Frigone, Gayle Anderson, Judy Scott, Anna Mary Langan. Standing, from left, Frances Braykovich, Elizabeth Sims, Sherry Plonka, Judy Smith, Nancy Burkholder, Joyce Kennedy, Vivian Rauso, Lianne Reiber,Pauline Tontsch.
In August 2007, after losing her hair for a second time to chemotherapy, Joyce felt uncomfortable wearing the chemo caps with thick seams that irritated her scalp and did little to satisfy her sense of style. So Joyce and three of her devoted friends from the Allen Senior Center — Jan Goble, Lena Louter and Vivian Denbow — founded Joyce’s Chemo Cap Project. Using a seamless pattern and with the softest yarn in hand, this small group of ladies so inspired others that groups in five additional states and London, England, have begun Joyce’s Chemo Cap Projects. To date they have made over 3,500 caps, all of which are donated free of charge to various hospitals and cancer treatment centers to give to cancer patients who want them.
Joyce tackled her cancer diagnosis with a strength and grace that inspired her family and friends. She loved to travel, loved adventure, but more than anything else, she loved her family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Joyce’s Chemo Cap Project, 1206 Thoreau Lane, Allen, Texas 75002 and visit http://joyceschemocaps.blogspot.com or to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
(To read the story that appeared in the New Castle News about this project: click here.)
A memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, in the chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, McKinney, Texas 75070. A burial service was to be held later in Northville, Mich.
To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com. Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/ncnewsonline/Obituaries.asp.
Joyce was the 232nd person to walk down the aisle at graduation. After her name in the Yearbook it reads:
"Our ray of sunshine. Y-Teens, 11-12; Football Usher, 10; Homeroom Representative 12; Squad
leader 11-12; Cheeleader 11-12; Concert Choir 12."
