Joyce Battaglia

- – On August 17, 2018 there was a celebration in Heaven.

Joyce, 65, was born in Wayne, Michigan on October 26, 1952. She was always the life of the party and never knew a stranger. Her selfless and joyful spirit will be greatly missed!

She graduated from Naperville Central High School, 1970. She attended DuPage College before transferring to Northern Illinois University; where she graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. She received her Masters in Education from Northern Arizona University in 1980. She dedicated 23 years to helping students with special needs in the Peoria Unified School District.

Joyce was a three-time cancer survivor, first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. She always displayed the most positive and hopeful outlook, which she used to mentor other women battling the disease.

She was involved in multiple organizations, Co-Chairwoman for the 2002 Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure”, Council Member of the 2018 Sons and Daughters of Italy Leonardo Da Vinci Lodge #2992 and active member of the VNSA Book Sale.

She will be forever loved and missed by Nick, her husband of 43 years, her son Brad and wife Heather Battaglia, grandsons Dominic and Gabriel; her daughter Nicole and husband Jacob Raymo, granddaughter Nixon and grandson River.

A celebration for Joyce will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 2:00pm till 4:00pm at Christ Community Church, 4530 W. Thunderbird Rd. Glendale, AZ. 85306

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the American Cancer Society. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.norvelowensmortuary.com