Joyce I. Barrett 1935-2023

Joyce was born and lived in Aliquippa, Pa., on Jan. 23, 1935. She and her parents, Esther, and Howard “Pete” Wiegel, relocated to the Youngstown and Boardman area in 1937.

Joyce was a longtime member of St. Dominic Parish, where she attended church and grade school. She was a graduate of the Class of 1952 at Ursuline High School and went on to graduate from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1955 as a registered nurse. She continued her nursing studies and became a certified registered nurse anesthetist in 1957.

Joyce worked for Bel-Park Anesthesia at St. Elizabeth Hospital for 39 years before moving on and spending a few years with Cafaro Memorial Hospital, then Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (NEOCC) as a prison nurse, and providing in-home care to seniors in Ohio, Florida, New Mexico and Missouri. She was extremely proud of her 45-plus year nursing career and loved getting together with former colleagues and talking about the old days.

For Joyce, her family was a priority. She worked nights so she could raise her children and participate in all their activities, taking part in creating and painting theatrical sets, fundraising, and never missing a ballgame, dance recital or gymnastic events. Joyce loved drawing, arts and crafts, playing the piano, board games (especially Scrabble and 5 Crowns) and organizing neighborhood get-togethers. Her children and grandchildren were her life’s focus, and she worried about and wanted to take care of them until the end, a truly devoted mother and grandmother.

She loved to celebrate her Irish roots, listening to music, watching parades, and attending Irish Bob’s festivities and Notre Dame games for over 40 years. In Joyce’s honor, her family shared one of her favorite Irish blessings: “May the sunshine warm upon your face. May the rains fall upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.”

She is survived by her four children, Kimberly Barrett of Boardman, Robert Barrett and spouse, Valerie of Cincinnati, Joanne Barrett of Chicago, and James Barrett of Chicago. Joyce had six grandchildren, Margaret Barrett, Julian Palmer, Stephen Barrett, Peter Barrett, Calum Palmer and Abigail Barrett. She was an aunt to seven nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, and siblings, Mary Ruth (Cavanaugh) Palkovic and Joanne O’Neil.

She wished to be remembered and acknowledged as a hard-working, loving, caring mother and an unselfish friend to so many, and of course, one of Notre Dame’s number one fans.

A memorial Mass is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown, celebrated by the Rev. Kevin Peters.

In remembrance of Joyce Barrett’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Hospice of the Valley-Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Youngstown, OH 44514.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox and Sons Funeral Home, Boardman.

Family and friends of Joyce may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to leave condolences for the Barrett family.

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