Joyce Kirchner

Lorena Joyce Taylor Bast Kirchner most recently of Shadyside, MD, passed away on January 31, 2017, at the South River Health and Rehabilitation Center in Edgewater, MD, after a lengthy illness. Joyce was born April 4, 1931, the only child of Albert and Ruth Taylor of Jewel, MD (Friendship). A twenty year resident of Chalk Point, MD, and previously of Galesville for 45 years, she loved that she was a lifelong resident of 'south county'. As a child she attended Tracy's Elementary School in Tracy's Landing, MD. In 1948 she graduated from Southern High School in Lothian, MD, where she discovered her passion for playing softball. After high school graduation she attended Fleet Business School in Annapolis, MD. She worked for a time at a law firm in Annapolis. On June 17, 1950 she married Walter B. Bast of Shadyside. Upon his discharge from the U. S. Army they moved from Augusta, GA, to Galesville where they built a home and had 3 children: Sharon Bast Pyle (Michael) of Queenstown, MD, Eric B. Bast, Sr. (Lolita) of Fountain, Co and Kimberly B. Taylor (Dana) of Edgewater, MD. She has six grandchildren: Rebecca B. Suggs, Eric B. Bast, Jr., Shannon Kelly and Amber Bast all of Colorado. James (Jay) Pyle of Edgewood, MD and Bradley Taylor of Edgewater, MD. Two great-granddaughters: Serenity and Essyence Bast of Colorado. Her husband Walter, a C & P Telephone Company employee died of cancer in 1971 after 21 years of marriage. In 1971 Joyce began her career with the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. She served as Secretary to the Principal at Carrie R. Weedon Elementary School in Galesville until its closing then transferred to Mayo Elementary serving in the same capacity until her retirement in 1994. In 1975 Joyce married Allen Sheckells of Tracy's Landing, MD. That marriage ended in divorce. In 1994 Joyce married Kenneth Kirchner of Chalk Point, MD. They were married for 19 years before his death January, 2013. For many years Kenny and Joyce enjoyed crabbing, boating and working in their yard. Joyce was in the very first Crossing Guard Unit for Anne Arundel County in the early 60s. She was a radio operator/dispatcher for the Galesville Volunteer Fire Department prior to the creation of the career department in 1965. She had been a member of the Galesville Ladies Auxiliary until it folded. Throughout her life there have been many family members who served and still serve in the fire service. Joyce has had a lifelong devotion to public safety and first responders. She was active in the Carrie R. Weedon PTA while her children attended there. She and her first husband Walter bowled on the C P Telephone Company league for many years. Joyce was a member of Galesville United Methodist Church for over 60 years where she served on various committees, taught Sunday school, Bible school and sang in the choir. Upon moving to Shadyside in 2014, she joined Centenary United Methodist Church. Joyce had also been a member of the Galesville Improvement Association where she held office for a time. Her favorite hobbies were crocheting, gardening and eating hard crabs! Visiting hours will be on Thursday, Feb 2 from 11 AM-12 noon, followed by a funeral at noon, at Hardesty Funeral Home, 905 Galesville Road, Galesville. Burial in Woodfield Cemetery next to her first husband, Walter Bast, will be private for immediate family only.