Joyce C. Wood

Joyce Carolyn Wood, a lifelong Cleveland area resident, passed away December 17, 2024, with family and her beloved pet, Lexi by her side. She was born on May 12, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio, and was an independent, headstrong woman with the heart of a kind and loving sister and aunt.

In her teen years, Joyce contracted Rheumatic fever leaving her with lifelong health issues. However, despite her numerous medical challenges, she always worked hard toward her goal of creating a beautiful, secure and satisfying life for herself and her pets.

Joyce graduated from the Brooklyn School System. After graduation, she was employed by Penton Publishing Company; first working in the printing and assembly division and then advanced to the postal/distribution operations, retiring after 37 years. Proudly, she amazed many with her ability to recall the zip code of most any city in the country. In her early working years, it was difficult for a single woman to establish a meaningful financial personal credit history. But with her determined spirit and perseverance, she deservedly was able to obtain credit cards, purchase her own home and eventually owned a rental property. With the knowledge gained from her carpenter father and handy brothers, Joyce often did her own repairs, maintenance and landscaping on her many homes. She was a pioneer in her day and a role model to her younger family members. 

She will be remembered for her love of animals and nature. Joyce barely lived a day without the company and love of her pet family, providing them care, as if they were her own children. 

One of her favorite hobbies was gardening and it showed with each home she owned. Mostly single handedly, she joyfully moved the earth and plants to create a beautiful and safe garden space for her pets and neighbors to enjoy.

Joyce is preceded in death by her father Donald E. Wood Sr., her mother Elizabeth J. (Jenkins) Wood and her niece Angela (Ella) M. Wood. She leaves behind her loving brothers; Donald E. Wood, Jr. and Robert C. Wood (Rosemary). Her memories live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Joyce was an inspiration to her nieces; Gretchen McKinley (Donald), Tracy McDonald (Kevin), and Kerry Rogers (Ronald). As they became young women, she showed them the ethics of hard work, strength, self-respect, compassion and love for the earth and all its creatures. She was a beloved Aunt to her many grand nieces and nephews, and a great grandnephew. 

Joyce was a member of Prince of Peace Church in Westlake, OH and greatly enjoyed Bible study. For her last six months, she was in the skillful and loving care of the “Hospice of the Western Reserve”. If you wish to pledge a donation in appreciation for her comforting hospice care, please do so in Joyce’s name at their website www.hospicewr.org and click on DONATE, or call 216.383.3700. Family and friends will be notified of a private memorial in the Springtime, her favorite time of year.

Inurnment Lakewood Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Slone & Co. Funeral Directors.