Joyce Laughlin 1929-2023
SALEM — Joyce Lowry Laughlin passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born June 13, 1929, in Salem to Raymond F. and Gertrude Layden Lowry.
She attended St. Paul School and graduated from Salem High School in 1947.
While at Salem High School, Joyce was the first Football Girl, crowned in September 1946. She was the surviving member of the Sub Debs and was a member of the Maids of Salem.
She went on to attend Kent State University and the College of Steubenville.
On Aug. 16, 1952, Joyce married her high school sweetheart, Jim Laughlin. They lived in Salem, Wellsville and Steubenville. During this time, she was employed at Hays Oil Company in East Liverpool, where she worked as an accountant for 23 years.
Joyce and Jim then moved to Xenia, where they spent 22 years before returning to Salem in 2000. During her years in Xenia, Joyce was voted Volunteer of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Jim on Feb. 20, 2022. Also preceding her were her parents; and brother, Raymond J. Lowry.
She is survived by her niece, Barbara Sobotka; great-nephew, Graham T. Sobotka; niece, Becky Halverstadt; nieces and nephews, Jim Laughlin, Farber Tinsley, Pam and John Tinsley, Rick and Jackie Tinsley, Kirby and Jill Laughlin, Lisa (Laughlin) Guthrie, and many great-nieces and -nephews.
Friends and family will be received 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at St. Paul Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Edwards officiating.
Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church or St. Paul Catholic Church School Scholarship Fund, 925 E. State St., Salem, OH 44460, or Community Hospice, 2341 E. State St., Salem, OH 4446.
If unable to attend, you may show your support by joining the complimentary Hugs from Home program in which messages will be attached to balloons in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support. Visit www.starkmemorial.com/hugs-from-home.
Arrangements are being handled by Stark Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To view Joyce’s obituary or send condolences, visit www.starkmemorial.com
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