Obituary of Joyce J. Schang

Joyce J. Schang, 80, of 5062 Stoneledge Rd., Ashville died Saturday, February 8, 2014 at UPMC Hamot in Erie surrounded by loving family. An area resident since 1975, she was born April 26, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan, a daughter of the late Anthony and Virginia Janik Schwartz. Joyce was employed for over 20 years as a secretary at the Hewes Educational Center in Ashville. A devout Catholic, Joyce had been a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Panama for many years; and more recently belonged to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lakewood. Her other activities included serving as historian while a member of the Lakewood-Busti Golden Agers as well as participating in the Silver Sneakers group at the YMCA and the Jamestown Breast Cancer Support Group. Joyce is survived by her beloved cat, Shalimar. Also surviving are four children: Scott (Merry) Schang of Lakewood, Linda Morse of Avon, NY, Bryan Schang of North Miami, FL and Dennis (Jody) Schang of Talbott, TN; eight grandchildren: Kimberly Morse and her fianc, Adam Pallus and Rachel Morse; Michael, Matthew, Mark and Nikki Schang; and Max and Megan Schang; as well as several nieces and nephews. Always a welcoming presence in the lives of her children and grandchildren, Joyce's greatest happiness came from spending time with them. Her house was always a center of familial gatherings and a source of love, hugs and delicious Hungarian and Polish food. Her affection for others is evident in the many who took joy in calling Joyce "Mom" or "Grandma" beyond the immediate family. Outside playing an active role in her grandchildren's lives, Joyce enjoyed playing the piano and painting pictures with oil paints. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in 2013 by a sister, Delores Jones. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev. Piotr Zaczynski will be celebrant. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home prior to the service at Sacred Heart. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jamestown Breast Cancer Group of WCA Hospital, 207 Foote Ave., P.O. Box 840, Jamestown, NY 14702-0840; or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 380 Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.