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Joyce Kersh Obituary
Joyce Ramsey Kersh, beloved wife of Rear Admiral John M. (Jack) Kersh USN (Ret.), passed away on January 25, 2016, following a three-year battle with cancer. She was born in Washington, PA, on February 11, 1935 to Lester H. and Iva A. Ramsey of Eighty-Four, PA. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Penn State University in 1957 and received a Master of Arts in Reading Science from The Citadel in 1981. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity and President of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honorary Society at Penn State. Joyce taught in elementary and high schools in Norfolk, VA, Groton, CT, and Charleston, SC. Also, she worked as a counselor and registrar in continuing education at George Mason University.
Joyce was a Navy wife raising three children while living in Norfolk, VA, Groton, CT, Charleston, SC, Key West, FL, Monterey, CA, Vallejo, CA, Saratoga Springs, NY, Dunoon, Scotland, Albuquerque, NM, Fairfax, VA, Boulder, CO, and Annapolis, MD.
Joyce was a voracious reader and a member of the Submarine Officers' Wives Book Club for over 50 years. She loved flowers and was a gifted flower arranger. She was a member and officer in the Naval Academy Wives' Garden Club and the Wardour Garden Club. As a member of the Naval Academy Chapel Altar Guild, Joyce arranged flowers for the Chapel worship and wedding services every 4 to 6 weeks for over 15 years. For over 10 years, she was in charge of coordinating the Annapolis Area Garden Clubs in decorating the State Circle with wreaths each Christmas. She also loved playing bridge with her many friends.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband and family of three children and their spouses: John and Pam Kersh, Christopher and Sharon Kersh, Elizabeth and Tom Brasek; and five grandchildren: Ethan Kersh, Graham and Chloe Kersh and Jack and Harlan Brasek. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, February 8 at the John M. Taylor Funeral Home, Inc. 147 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, MD 21401. Memorial services will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy Main Chapel at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 9, followed by inurnment at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the USNA Foundation, USNA Chapel Pastoral Care Fund 913900.
Online condolences may be made at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Kersh
Ray Jones
March 21, 2016
Jack, I am so sorry to hear of Joyce's passing. She was such a wonderful person and Navy wife. I feel for you my friend, I lost Sandy a year ago and it has been a difficult time without her. We are blessed to have had such wonderful wives. The memories will keep you going.
Craig Reynolds
March 2, 2016
Mr. Kersh,
My condolences on the loss of your wife and soulmate.
Vera Holt
February 9, 2016
I'm so sorry to hear this news. Joyce was a good friend. Love to you and your family.
February 7, 2016
Jack, Sara and I were deeply saddened to hear of Joyce's passing. You both played such a significant role in our live as we made early career decisions while serving on the Andrew Jackson and have often spoken how fortunate we were to have the both of you as friends and mentors. Joyce was such a bright positive lady who touched many more than she knew. God Bless and know you and your family are in our prayers. She will be missed and fondly remembered. John and Sara Stone West Chester, PA
Alice and Andy Mutch
February 6, 2016
Dear Jack,
Andy and I are blessed to have know Joyce. She, like you, exemplified generosity of spirit and warmth. What a gift to have you both as friends
Bill Smith
February 5, 2016
Dear Jack, Sabra and I are so sorry to learn abut the passing away of Joyce. She was such a shining light to everyone who knew her and had the opportunity to share her quiet zest for life. Please know that we will keep you and your family in our hearts and our prayers. Bill and Sabra Smith, Springfield, Va
Janet Lewin
February 5, 2016
Dear Jack: We are so sorry to hear of Joyce's passing. I remember our times in Gales Ferry so fondly. She was a wonderful person and we'll all miss her. Our sympathy for your loss. Jan and Ted Lewin
Jack and Becky Wharton
February 5, 2016
We were students at East Washington High School('58 &'59)when newly-wed Penn State grad Mrs. Kersh began her teaching career. We didn't know til now that it was her Alma Mater too. Thank you for sharing her story with us. Our deepest sympathy to all her family. We remember her well.
Paul and Sharon Basse
February 4, 2016
Dear Jack and Family,
We send you our sincere condolences across the miles.
We were so lucky to be able to visit and know Joyce during the many wonderful '57 class events. Always a warm welcome from her and fun stories about family and travel. It's wonderful that she will have a lingering heritage at USNA. Sharon and Paul Basse
Nancy and Jim Miltenberger
February 4, 2016
Dear Jack, John, Christopher and Elizabeth and families. We were so sorry to learn of Joyce's passing last night. She was a wonderful person and friend and will be missed by so many. I went to bed thinking about many things in our past including our summer in Alexandria during "Charm School," our wine making endeavors in Gales Ferry, wallpapering your Gales Ferry foyer and so much more. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
February 3, 2016
We will miss our dear friend and know there is a special place in Heaven for her for the many kind and and thoughtful things she has for many of us over the years. La Verne Gucker
William Hastie
February 2, 2016
Dear Jack,
Donna and I send our sincere sympathy for your loss. Although Joyce is out of pain and being home with the Lord is a pleasure for her, her loss leaves a huge hole in the hearts of all her friends. Losing ones mate is so hard. We send our support to you in this time of grieving and pray that you will find comfort and peace.
Sincerely, Donna and Sandy Hastie
February 2, 2016
Jack, we are so very sorry for your loss of Joyce. You have been a wonderful couple.
Chuck and Alix Fellows
Jeanie & Mark Golden
February 1, 2016
Jack, deepest sympathy. We remember the many social events in SUBRON 18. This was the first we had heard of her illness, sorry we have been out of touch all this time. Jeanie & Mark Golden
Mickey and Ruth Garverick
February 1, 2016
Dear Jack and Family - Sorry to learn that Joyce's life so well lived here has ended but will be there when we meet again. The more than 50 years of memories we have together will last until this great reunion.
February 1, 2016
Jack, Please accept my sincerest sympathies on your tremendous loss. Remember the good times...there were plenty of them to last.
RADM Larry Vogt
Penny Ruperti
January 31, 2016
Mr. Kersh, Elizabeth & Family I'm so sorry for the loss of your wife and mother. What a wonderful woman you have lost. With deepest sympathy know that I am praying for your family that God may ease your pain.
January 31, 2016
Jack,our dear friend Sybil, your sister, told us that Joyce had passed away.We are so very sorry for your loss.
Marjorie and David Dempsey
January 31, 2016
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I will miss Joyce and doing the Chapel Flowers with her. Her flower arrangements were always so beautiful and inspiring.I am so sorry. Millie Sample
January 31, 2016
Dear Jack and Family,
We have fond memories of Joyce from our trips to Australia and Croatia and at family gatherings. Her bright smile, keen intellect and quick wit were only a few of many endearing qualities that made her the wonderful woman we knew and loved. Our sympathy and prayers to you and your loved ones on this great loss of Mother and Wife. Senta & Walter Stich, Valhalla, NY
Judy Duckett
January 30, 2016
Jack, My wonderful memories of Wardour include the fun times we all had with Joyce, the Garden Club, and the making of Christmas wreaths . She was always upbeat and cheerful. She will be greatly missed.
Jim & Denise McCarthy
January 28, 2016
Jack,& Family, so sorry for your loss. We were always glad to see Joyce at your side at so many business functions and parties. She fought the good fight against her terrible illness.
Tim and Michele Cornett
January 26, 2016
We will fondly remember Joyce and her great smile. It was always a lot of fun to see her at cabin in Maine, and at her son John's retirement from the US Navy.
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