Joyce (Gregory) Spinelli

Joyce Spinelli

DOVER – Joyce (Gregory) Spinelli, 96, entered into rest on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at her home.

Joyce was born on August 4, 1926 to Elsie M. (Perkins) and Harold L. Gregory in Union City, PA.  Joyce graduated from Union City High School in 1944 and went to work at Radio Station WLEU in Erie, PA, where she met her future husband, Anthony, after he was discharged from the Army Air Force while serving in World War II in Europe.  They lived in various states following Tony’s career as a Radio Announcer.

She and her late husband, Anthony D. Spinelli, moved from Erie, PA to Dover, PA in 1961.

Joyce retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Harrisburg, PA.  She was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and had served on the first Religious Education Board of Directors at St. Rose.  Joyce was a past member of the Board of Directors of Postmark Credit Union in Harrisburg, PA for a number of years and was also a past member of the Board of Directors of White Rose Credit Union in York, PA, where she also served as a member of the Credit Committee for many years.  She was a past member of the Continental York Chapter of American Business Women and was chosen “Woman of the Year” for 1984-85.

She was an active volunteer for 22 years with the York-Adams Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she had served as a caseworker for Service to the Military, and had served as Chairman of Emergency Services.  Joyce was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and had served as Vice President and also Membership Chair of the York Chapter.  She was also a member of Golden Nuggets of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Joyce is survived by four daughters, Diane S. McGrath of Lynchburg, VA, Carol J. Williams of Gettysburg, PA, Mary J. Himsworth of Harleysville, PA and Joan M. Spinelli of Studio City, CA; five sons, John D. Spinelli and Anthony G. Spinelli, both of Dover, PA, Michael L. Spinelli of Flagstaff, AZ, USN Com., Ret. Thomas M. Spinelli of Washington, D.C. and William C. Spinelli of Phoenix, AZ;  11 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by sons, James P. Spinelli and Donald J. Spinelli and infant son, Robert and infant daughter, Cynthia. 

Joyce is also survived by her sister, Nancy of Meadville, PA.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth and sisters, Alice, Elsie and Cecile.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at St. Rose of Lima Church, 950 W. Market St., York, with the Rev. Dominic Eshikena, OP as celebrant.  There will be a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Emig Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 47 N. Queen St., Dover.  The Rite of Committal will take place privately in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA.

The family wants to acknowledge the extraordinary kindness and generosity of the Nguyen Dinh Tha family, Jimmy, Lynn and Kayla for the beautiful gestures they made during her illness. We would also like to thank all the wonderful nurses and healthcare workers of Hospice and Community Care who took such great care of her and made her laugh in spite of her circumstances.  And finally, all the friends who visited or called her or wrote to her, especially, Fidelis Mobis, we are grateful for your love and kindness.

To share memories of Joyce and condolences with her family, please visit www.emigfuneralhome.com.

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