Joyce M. Bender (Simoff), 82, of East Palestine, OH passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Elyria, Ohio on Monday, May 17, 2024. She was born in Ellwood City, Pa. on February 21, 1942, the daughter of the late Boris and Mary Simoff.
Following her graduation from Lincoln High School in 1959, she attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. where she received her BA in Spanish, graduating in 1964. She taught English and Spanish in Geneva, OH her first year out of college and then at Salem High School in Salem, OH from 1967 to 1968. Taking time to raise her family, and tutoring students, she joined the newsroom of the Ellwood City Ledger in 1986 as a reporter, then as their Entertainment Editor, where she retired after 19 years.
Joyce lost her husband John, eight months to the day after sharing 57 years together. She is survived by her three children, John Bender and partner Crystal Lake of Front Royal, VA; Julie Limpach (Matt) of Elyria, OH; and Michael Bender of East Palestine, OH and his fiancée Kristin Falkner of Wexford, PA; three grandchildren, Evan Bender of Winchester, VA; Olivia Bender of East Palestine, OH and Matthew Limpach of Elyria, OH; and a great granddaughter London Bender of Winchester, VA. Joyce is also survived by her sister-in-law Barbara Heimann of Texas; brother Michael Simoff and partner Bobbie McGowan of New Castle, PA; sister-in-law Ellen Simoff of Harmony, PA and several lifelong friends and neighbors. Additionally, she leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Brandi Bender, brother Ted Simoff, and sister Patricia Connolly.
Joyce enjoyed her Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Pittsburgh Penguins and took delight in sharing her grandchildren’s achievements with her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Joyce’s name to the East Palestine Memorial Public Library.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 1pm at the Linsley-Royal Funeral Home in East Palestine, OH with a committal service following at Glenview Cemetery in East Palestine, OH.
Family will be present to receive friends on Thursday May 23, 2024, from 11 am up until the time of service at 1pm.
Be the first to comment on "Joyce M. Bender (Simoff), 82"