Thursday, November 6, 2008

Joyce Elaine Schmitt February 26, 1933- November 4, 2008

Joyce Elaine Schmitt, age 75, of McKinney, Texas passed away on November 4, 2008. She was born on February 26, 1933, in New Castle, Pennsylvania to Clarence Earl Kennedy and Betty Johnson Kennedy. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

She is survived by her sons, John Ameser and life partner Michael Magnia of Plano, Texas; Bill Ameser and life partner Scott Turnbull of Fairview, Texas; daughter, Tracie Burton, husband Tom Burton and grandson Zack Burton of Canton, Michigan; sister, Muriel Bethle of New Castle, Pennsylvania and a host of other family and friends.


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.

We will truly miss her.

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 www.joyceschemocaps.blogspot.com; or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2008 in the Chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, with Dan Peeler officiating.

To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Joyce,
There are certainly angels in heaven, but you have shown us that there are angels on earth also.
You will be missed my friend.
You have left a legacy of love to all of us. We are blessed having just known you.
Your memory and your loving kindness will live on in our hearts forever.
Robin Jacks