Joyce Manbeck MacKellar

Joyce Manbeck MacKellar, 66, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, March 24 at her home in Frederick after a prolonged and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her loving husband, Butch Nieves, and her children, Shannon and Brock MacKellar.

In the last two months of her life she was tenderly cared for at home by her husband, with the support of Hospice of Frederick County and her closest friends and family.

In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by her step-children, Kassandra Nieves, Elisa (Nick) Giorgi, Amanda Nieves, and cousins Charles and Becky Joyce and Kathy Passmore.

Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Edward F. Manbeck, Sr., her mother, Dorothy Joyce Manbeck, and her brother, Edward F. Manbeck, Jr.,

Joyce was born and raised in the South Jersey town of Clayton. She graduated from Hood College in 1974 and completed her Master's Degree at Hood in 2000. She taught Elementary Education in NJ, CA, and TX. She returned to Frederick County in the late '80s. Joyce taught at Wee Folks Nursery prior to becoming a teacher at Middletown Elementary School. She retired in 2014.

A dedicated and hard working person, Joyce held leadership positions on the Hood College Board of Associates.

The family extends their sincere thanks to the friends and colleagues who sent Joyce comforting words of encouragement. They are also grateful for the meals provided as Joyce never lost her fondness for authentic "home cooking!"

A celebration of Joyce's life will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4 at Brook Hill United Methodist Church, 8946 Indian Springs Road, Frederick, MD, with visitation at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Pastor Dana Werts will officiate.

Internment immediately following service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery

Arrangements are with Stauffer Funeral Home, Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joyce's honor to the (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition): NOCC Frederick Walk website- Team Joyce runwalk.ovarian.org/frederick; or checks can be made to NOCC-Frederick (note Team Joyce) and mailed to: NOCC Frederick Chapter, PO Box 431 Frederick, MD 21705. The walk will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 in Baker Park.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.