Obituary of Joyce Irene Anderson

Joyce I. Anderson, 85, of Ashtabula passed away after complications from heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on May 24, 2018.

She was born August 19, 1932, in Alliance, Ohio the daughter of the late Ernest and Irene (Briggs) Meeks. She married Jack Anderson May 14, 1955.

Dr. Anderson graduated from Kent State University in 1953, earned her MA in Theater in 1968 and PhD in Arts Management in 1983. She was a member of Alpha Psi Omega, theater honorary; Kappa Delta Pi, education honorary; Cardinal Key, Senior Women’s honorary and Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

Joyce taught in the Buckeye School system for over 30 years where she produced and directed exceptional theater productions. She instructed students in English, Creative Writing, Speech, and Theater Arts. She was the Buckeye Teacher of the Year and the Ashtabula County Teacher of the Year in 1987. She also taught for years as adjunct faculty at KSU Ashtabula Campus.

At the Ashtabula Art Center, she acted in and directed many Straw Hat Theater productions and was a member of the board of the GB Repertory Company. She and her late husband Jack also served on the Board of Deacons of the Second Congregational Church.

Moving to California in 1989, she taught in Pasadena at Mayfield Senior School, a private girl’s school and at Palomar College in San Marcos. In her 42 years of teaching, she took pride in bringing students, literary skills, and the arts together.

Family was always upmost in Joyce’s life. She is survived by her two children, Tim (Wendy Asato) Anderson and Joan (Hector) Briceno; four grandchildren, Emma and Miles Anderson,  and Jeffrey and Jack Briceno all who reside in California; sisters, Shirley Rininger and Nancy Vicars of Alliance, Ohio; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack in 1988.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 with Rev. Bill Daywalt officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens in North Kingsville.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 from 6-8 PM at the funeral.

Should friends desire memorial contributions in her name may be made to Ashtabula Art Center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004.

Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula, is handling arrangements. Online obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com

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