Joyce E. Sanchez

ILION - Mrs. Joyce E. Sanchez, 89, of Ilion, NY, entered into Eternal Life, on August 28, 2024, with her loving family by her side, following a brief illness.

She was born in Perth Amboy, NJ, to Soren and Bertha Sorensen, on September 25, 1934. She graduated from Woodbridge High School, where she and her twin sister, Joan, served on the cheerleading squad. On September 8, 1956, she married Joseph Sanchez, the love of her life and they moved to Ilion, NY, where they raised their two daughters, Elissa and Pam. After spending many happy years as a loving mother and homemaker, Joyce worked as a teacher’s aide at West Hill School, where she was also a Girl Scout Leader. She spent 14 more years working as a library clerk at the Ilion Free Public Library and retired in 1989.

When her husband Joe passed away after 34 years of marriage, Joyce became very involved at the Church of the Annunciation, serving as Lector, Eucharistic Minister and a member of various committees. She was also a Commissioner on the Ilion Housing Authority for many years.

She eventually started spending her winters in Vero Beach, Florida, with her dear friend, Bev Tutty and later moved to Florida year-round. Those years of retirement were full of fun activities and socializing with friends.

The last year and a half of her life, Joyce and her daughter Elissa had the blessing of living close to each other in Rochester, NY, where they could visit daily.

Joyce’s priorities in life were her faith and her family. She was a daily communicant at the Church of the Annunciation and she had a deep love of the Lord and devotion to the Blessed Mother. She incessantly prayed the rosary for the intentions of her family. Her love, support and generosity to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew no limits.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband, Joe; her parents; her sisters, Joan Mihalov and Virginia Barnes; and her nephew, Bruce Rymsha.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Elissa Sanchez-Speach and son-in-law, Dr. David Speach, of Pittsford, NY and her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and David Peoples, of Snow Camp, NC. Survivors also include her grandchildren: Dr. Gabrielle (Sherif) Girgis, Joseph (Dr. Mary Eve) Speach, Hannah Speach, Claire Speach and Joseph Peoples; her 3 great- grandchildren, Mary, Lucy and Peter Girgis; as well as her nephew and niece, Jack Rymsha and Amy Peterson. Joyce also leaves behind her dear friend, Beverlyan Tutty.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the medical providers, nurses and staff, at the Friendly Home, for their excellent and compassionate care for Joyce in the last year of her life.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Church of Annunciation, Ilion, New York, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will then take place alongside her husband, at Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, New York.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a calling hour on the same day as the funeral, Monday morning, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and join us at the church and cemetery to follow. This time will be held at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, New York 13357 (315) 894-8000.

Arrangements have been carefully planned with Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors.

Online condolences may be left at www.applegateandday.com on the Internet.