Joyce Princehorn

(Nancy) Joyce Princehorn, age 81, of Massillon, passed away due to heart failure on Thursday, April 19, 2018. Joyce was born on Wednesday, July 15, 1936, in Highland Park, Illinois, to the late Richard and Nancy (MacGregor) Pett. She grew up in Hollywood, California as a child. She was partly raised by her Great Aunt Joyce, who was married to the famous Oscar winner, Norman Reilly Raine. She lived a grand adventure there in a home just beneath the Hollywood sign. Her neighbor was Norman Rockwell, who would come to draw and visit on their patio. Undoubtedly, this helped foster her passion for art. She and her little brother, Richard, moved to Massillon in 1950, to be with their mother and stepfather, William Gregg. She was a 1954 graduate of Washington High School. She was a classmate of Dean’s. He teased her during typing class. In their twenties, they ran into each other at Federal Lane bowling alley in Massillon. They dated for awhile, but lost touch over the years. Joyce attended Kent State, where she majored in Art. Her plan was to become an art teacher. This plan was derailed by becoming an airline attendant for Eastern Airlines in Cleveland. Her job path then included being a department manager for the M. O'Neill Company, and Higbee's in Belden Village, until 1975. Her dream of becoming a mother finally came true in 1976, when she was almost 40, with the birth of her only child, Leann, during her first marriage, to Lee Kuligowski. She was a wonderful mother, and stepmother to his three children. She was honest and open; teaching and caring. She was gracious and loving. She prepared...for many things, including this day. She enjoyed being a stay at home mother, until her daughter started preschool. At this point she became a bus driver, as well as a playground and lunchroom monitor, for the Jackson Local School district. She gained the nickname "Red" by her coworkers, because of her beautiful, naturally red hair. In 1984, she attended her 30th class reunion, where she was reunited with Dean. They were the perfect mix of laughter, jokes, excitement, and love for each other. They married on October 26, 1985. He became a wonderful father to her daughter. She was excited to become a stepmother again to his four children. They shared over 32 happy years together, and he survives. She retired in 1994, after 14 years of service. In 1995, she and her husband moved to Montgomery, Alabama due to her husband's work. They made many friends in the area during their 6 year stay. They lived in a home that they loved, complete with a pool that Mom loved. Upon her husband's retirement in 2001, they returned home to Massillon. They were members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church before their move away, and she was happy to return home to her church family. She was actively involved in Senior Bible study, singing in the choir, teaching classes, doing activities, and enjoyed bringing her grandchildren to vacation bible school every year. She also visited the homebound, participated actively in Sunday School, and shared the good news with evangelism ministry. Joyce was a fun loving woman. She was a jokester, with a boisterous and infectious laugh that will forever be missed. She enjoyed spending time with the people she loved, as well as drawing, painting, decorating, crocheting, and playing games, such as card games and bingo. She will also be remembered for her generosity, talent, beautiful smile, and love of God and family. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Leann Joyce (Kuligowski) Yakley, her son in law, Jim Yakley, her grandchildren, Ava Joy and Aiden Yakley; her brother, Richard (Ronda) Pett; her stepchildren, Beth (Steve) Hargrave, Kevin (Pamela) Princehorn, Tim Princehorn, Dan Princehorn, and Kathleen (Kuligowski) Lee; her step-grandchildren, Emma Hargrave, Alexandra Princehorn, Olivia Princehorn, Noah Princehorn, and Tom Princehorn; her half-brothers Billy Gregg and Andy Gregg; sister in law, Betty Princehorn, nephews, Scott Pett, Chris Pett, Brian Gregg, Todd (Andrea) Princehorn; nieces Marschal (Jim) Sutphin, Heidi Wegryn, and Jennifer Wegryn; numerous friends, including lifelong friends, Sharon, Dwanna, and Jeanie, and last but not least, her faithful feline companion, Lilly. She is preceded in death by two stepchildren, Lynn and Michael Kuligowski; her brother in law, Duane Princehorn, and her sister in law, Patricia Plehn. A Celebration of her life will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Massillon, on Friday, April 27, 2018, at 2 pm. Pastor Katie Jacob will be officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from Noon until the time of the service. Donations in Joyce’s memory can be made to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund. www.paquelet.com