Joyce Devereux Lynch
July 11, 1932-July 10, 2017
Joyce Devereux Lynch passed away on July 10, 2017, one day shy of her 85th birthday. She was able to say her heartfelt good-byes to her sons, family, and friends while at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The family would like to express gratitude to the wonderful nurses and palliative care professionals for treating Joyce with the utmost care and attention..
Joyce grew up in San Francisco’s North Beach, a true San Franciscan. She used to tell stories about the days when you could smell the chocolate being roasted down the street at the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory, something that probably helped coax along her life-long love of all things chocolate or sweet. She was a voracious reader from an early age, and always had a book nearby.
She attended Notre Dame des Victoires School in San Francisco, and made many life-long friends there, including Barbara Wiggin. She kept those friendships alive through reunions that continued until this past spring – friendships that spanned seven decades. Her NDV friends were dear to her. Joyce then attended U.C. Berkeley, joining the Chi Omega sorority and gathering still more life-long friendships, as was her style. Once out of college, she traveled extensively as a civilian employee of the Army, joined in part by her sister Alanna and Alanna’s daughter, Ann, who became like the daughter that Joyce never had. There she met the man who was to later become her husband, Tom, as he worked for the Army Corps of Engineers. They both fell in love with many regions of France and Belgium, gathering fodder for stories of people met, friendships made, and experiences had.
Once back in her beloved San Francisco, Joyce worked for the S.F. Chronicle and kept in touch with Tom. He visited San Francisco, and fate took over. Tom & Joyce were married in July, 1961, and the next year their first son, Tom, was born. Tom was followed shortly thereafter by Peter and then by Rob, and Joyce now had her hands full with “the boys.” They could not have asked for a better, more loving or steadfast mother. She was patient and kind, yet provided a home and a set of values that guides her sons to this day.
After 10 years the family moved to Alamo, and Joyce found still more friends. These included the Thrift Store volunteers in Danville, her fellow book club and bible study members, friends at St Isidore’s, and many others. Joyce had the ability to strike up a lively conversation with anyone, at any time. She pursued her NDV, Cal, and other friendships through lunches, pool parties, Christmas cookie giveaways, and activities. She was “old school” in the best sense—she never forgot a birthday or to send a card, and she always sent thank-you notes in neat Catholic school cursive writing. Through her actions she made her family and friends realize they were cherished and loved by a special person.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband Tom, parents Robert & Irene Devereux and sister Alanna. Sons Tom (Melody), Peter (Jenny), and Rob (Carmen) along with her beloved niece, Ann and Ann’s daughter, Katie, will always cherish their memories of Mom and will most miss her wry and spot-on sense of humor, along with her ready laugh. She is also survived by grandchildren Christopher, Kaitlin, Carolyn, Tessa, Anita, Elizabeth, & Theresa. Elizabeth & Theresa will especially miss their weekend visits to grandma’s house, with the jelly bean bowl, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, the toy room, and of course the swimming pool. One could not ask for a better wife, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, or friend.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass for Joyce at St. Isidore’s Catholic Church, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m., to be followed by a reception. Donations to St. Anthony’s Foundation or Notre Dames des Victoires in San Francisco in remembrance of Joyce are most welcome.