Joyce M. Williams Shambo

KEESEVILLE — Joyce M. Williams Shambo, 77, of Keeseville, N.Y., formerly of AuSable Forks, N.Y., died at home Feb. 26, 2009, surrounded by her family. She was born April 28, 1931, in Plattsburgh, N.Y., to the late Hubert and Irene (LaFerrier) Williams.

Joyce worked at F.W. Woolworth in downtown Plattsburgh and was known by many for her beautiful window decorations. She then went to work for Grand Union in AuSable Forks, with 25 years of service, retiring in 1994. During her years in AuSable Forks, she was a member of Holy Name Church and looked forward to working the Labor Day celebrations for many years. She was a former member of the AuSable Forks Fire Department Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Moving to Keeseville in 2001 to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Joyce made many new friends and enjoyed being with her family to the fullest. She looked forward to their many weekends at Monty's Bay campground in Chazy. It was at Monty's Bay where she could see Lake Champlain and be with her many very special friends from Canada and the surrounding area. It was here that she got her new nickname, "Joycie." The smile on her face when there was singing around the campfire will remain in the hearts of all that loved her, forever. It was always a special day when Clare & Carl's opened and she could once again enjoy a Michigan after the long winter. She was definitely the center of attention as she was showered with love, her favorite treats, especially peanut butter cups and stuffed animals.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Cindy and her husband Ricky Doyle; grandsons, Denny and fiancé Tanya Moore and Brian and fiancé Amanda Benitez, all of Keeseville, N.Y., all who played a very big part of her care during the last 7½ years. She was also blessed with a great-granddaughter, Ava Leigh, who has been her smiling little angel during her last few months. She is also survived by her brother, Wesley "Cy" Williams and his very special wife Rita of Wolcott, Conn.; her special sisters, Luella McKay of Southington, Conn., and Patricia McCallister of AuSable Forks, N.Y.; brother-in-law and sisters-in law, Donald and Betty Shambo of Plattsburgh, N.Y., Alice Shambo of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Joyce Williams of Plattsburgh, N.Y. Joyce also leaves behind many very special nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. There are many special friends that have been a very big part of her life that will miss her greatly, especially Kim Lambert of Keeseville, N.Y., and Barbara Philips of Elizabethtown, N.Y.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Larry Tabony and Hilburn "Willy" Williams; her sister, Marion Sears; brothers-in-law Bobby McCallister, Tom McKay and Edward Shambo; and husband Robert Shambo.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2009, at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Keeseville, with Monsignor Leeward J. Poissant, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the parish cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to High Peaks Hospice & Palliative Care Inc., P.O. Box 192, Port Henry, NY 12974, or the Keeseville Rescue Squad.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. To light an online candle and offer condolences in the memory of Joyce Shambo, please visit www.hamiltonfuneralhome.com.