Joy E. Szczypinski

Joy Elaine (Davin) Szczypinski, age 78, of Pittsburgh, entered eternal rest on June 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Joy was born in Pittsburgh on December 21, 1946, the proud daughter of John and Beatrice. As one of ten siblings, she wore that distinction like a badge of honor and drew from it an endless supply of stories. Growing up, Joy learned early to make an adventure out of adversity, turning even tough memories into stories that made others laugh.
Family was everything to Joy: her parents, nine siblings, husband of 51 years (Marty), three children (Bridget, Adam, and Arleen), three grandchildren (Jay, Adisyn, and John), and a sprawling network of relatives and friends. She thrived on making people feel comfortable, keeping the peace (or at least the appearance of it), and never missing a child's or grandchild's event while she could. She would do anything to avoid a fight, but never backed down from an argument-she was always right.
Helping others was at her core. Joy was happiest being homeroom mom, driving someone to an appointment or to banjo club, and being the person others could count on. Losing her independence in later years was difficult, but she still found ways to contribute, volunteering at the food pantry, teaching her grandchildren card games, and chopping vegetables for Sunday dinner.
Joy's presence was unforgettable. She was confident, witty, and always on the lookout for a laugh. She made friends everywhere: on the bus, at work, in the bleachers at her children's games. Her children sometimes cringed at her ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, but that's how she built her community. She was the life of the party, endlessly curious (some might say "nebby"), and never backed down from an arm-wrestling challenge.
She wore many hats: daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mom, grandma, friend, coworker, and volunteer. She and Marty had a fun, loving marriage, full of honesty and mutual care, especially as he became her caretaker in her later years. She liked to boss him around, and he was always there for her, even if he didn't always do things "right" in her eyes.
Becoming a mother in her 30s was her greatest joy, until the grandchildren came along. She poured herself into motherhood, showing love through acts of service and keeping
her family safe. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy; she was their biggest fan, always quick to forgive and forget, and loved them unconditionally.
Joy worked in administrative roles before and after raising her children, with memorable stories from her time as an ER receptionist and scheduling coordinator for a physician group. She built strong friendships everywhere she went.
She was stubborn-there was only one right way to fold a napkin or hang clothes (hers)-and she never quite understood the appeal of unsalted butter. She was a gifted storyteller and always tuned in to everything going on around her. At family gatherings, she wanted to be in every conversation, sometimes banging the table or shushing everyone to get the scoop.
Joy leaves behind her husband, Marty; her children and their partners, Bridget (Jen), Adam (Peggy), and Arleen (Jarrod); her grandchildren, Jay, Adisyn, and John; her siblings Jack (Marge), Pat, Linda (Joe), Karen (Jim), Carol, Tim (Janet), and Dale (Cathy); two sisters-in-law, Jay (Bob) and MaryAnn; many nieces and nephews; and countless dear friends. She entered eternal rest alongside her parents, John and Beatrice; her siblings, Mark and Arleen; her parents-in-law, Zigmunt and Pearl; her brothers-in-law Bill, Dave, and Winston, and sisters-in-law Tally and Donna.
Toward the end, Joy often said she had everything she ever dreamed of and then some, even if she sometimes felt sad and angry about losing her health. She was deeply loved, and it is hoped she understood just how much joy she brought into the lives of those who knew her. In the end, she truly lived up to her name.
Relatives and friends received Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 5–8 p.m., and Friday, June 13, 2025, from 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. at SCHEPNER-McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 165 Noble Ave, Crafton, PA 15205. Funeral prayer Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in The Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel, St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 310 Mansfield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to enjoy her favorite drink (a rum and Coke) or make a donation to her favorite cause, her last "job" as a volunteer, at the Unity Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, 1146 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220, in memory of Joy. She would love nothing more than to be remembered with laughter, a good drink, and a story or two shared among friends.