Niagara-Joyce Angeline Girczyc, (nee Dewick),91, of McKinleyville, Calif., formerly of Niagara, Wis. passed away peacefully at home on the morning of August 26, 2017.

She was born on November 21, 1925, in Niagara, daughter of the late Frank and Maud (Genrich) Dewick. At the age of 17, she left home and entered the Illinois Masonic Hospital school of nursing, Chicago, Illinois. Joyce married Chester Girczyc on October 4, 1947; he preceded her in death in 1983. During her time in Chicago, she worked as a registered nurse at Illinois Masonic Hospital and Swedish Covenant Hospital. For 55 years Joyce provided compassionate care in the operating room, as staff nurse and as a manager for the emergency department and trauma center. Her fondest memories were of time spent with Dr. Theodore Fox, an orthopedic surgeon and team doctor for the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. Joyce was an active member of her local school board in Albany Park and the Chicago Girl Scout organization. No matter where she worked or volunteered her calm demeanor and indefatigable spirit were the perfect match for leadership roles.

In 1995, Joyce moved to Northern California to be near her daughter and family. She connected with wonderful friends in her new community. Swimming with the “Arcata Waves”, performing as a “Geri Actor”, raising money and coordinating the McKinleyville Women's Club “Student of the Month” program and sharing lunch with her 3rd Friday group she shared deep friendships with Millie, BJ &George, Aiko, Mary and many others. Joyce had a great sense of humor and inspired her family and all who knew her.

Joyce is survived by one daughter, Dr. Patricia (Steven J. Durham) Girczyc, McKinleyville, Calif.; two beloved grandchildren, Tibora Girczyc-Blum and Cornell Reid Girczyc-Blum and a great granddaughter, Tobie Eleanor Reid.

In addition to her parents and husband, Chester, Joyce was preceded in death by three brothers, Arnold, Vernon and Marvin; two sisters, Kathryn and Beverly; and one son in law, Dr. Eugene Blum (1948-2006)

Visitation will be held Monday, September 11, 2017, from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM at the Jacobs Funeral Home-Niagara Chapel, Niagara, Wis. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Rev. James Danielson will officiate. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery, Niagara, Wis.

Memorials can be made to the Niagara Historical Society in Joyce's memory.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Joyce or leave a condolence for her family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Niagara Chapel, to honor Joyce’s legacy of life.