Joyce A. Loercher

 

Joyce (Pettyjohn) Loercher, 90 of Lititz, took her final curtain call peacefully, into her Heavenly home on Good Friday, March 29, 2024 at Luther Acres, where she resided for the past 6 months. She was born in Littlestown, on August 13, 1933. She was the only daughter of the late Raymond L. Pettyjohn Sr. and Minnie (Roberts) Pettyjohn. Her beauty was mirrored on the inside and out.  She was a woman of strong faith, who shared her kindness, love, compassion, patience, and many gifted talents with everyone she would meet. She was a friend to all!

 

As a preteen, Joyce found great interest in twirling a baton. Many long hours were spent practicing and refining her skills in the backyard. She loved sharing the story of how very difficult it was to have been chosen to lead the band, as the head majorette, during the Spring of her junior year at Boyertown High School.  The honor had to be devastatingly relinquished, when her father was hired as foreman of the Bedford Shoe Factory in Lititz, choosing to move his family during the summer before starting her Senior year of High School. The first friend she met in Lititz, Mary Ellen Galebach Kreider, (who remained her dear friend through life), convinced her to try out for the same spot on the Lititz High School band, since their auditions took place that summer. After reluctantly attending the try-outs, her superior baton twirling skills prompted her new school to name her head majorette for her Senior and only year at Lititz High School. She never looked back. Lititz became her beloved home town and she found much joy leading the Lititz High School Class of 1951 and the band, strutting her high pointed marching steps, hoisting her baton high to the sky, turning, twisting, and twirling through many half time performances, and parades. After graduation, she continued her love of twirling by performing at VFW's, hospital children's wards, as well as winning many competitions, including the talent portion of Miss Lancaster County. She taught baton to countless students, many who became successful majorettes for high school bands, and some became owners of Baton Twirling Teams that were quite popular in the 1960's-80's.

 

With an angelic Soprano voice, she loved to sing, and shared numerous breathtaking solos in choirs, at weddings and funerals, and performed starring roles to the Lititz community, as a member of the Lititz AMBUCS’ fundraising musical performances. Her love of musical theater and performance talents were a legacy passed on to her youngest daughter, and her granddaughter. A gifted seamstress and knitter, she made many of her own costumes for those theater productions, her oldest daughter's wedding gown, created stylish designer outfits, bridesmaids dresses, doll clothes, sweaters, and blankets. She enjoyed gardening, crafting, cooking, and was a master baker preparing spectacularly decorated cakes and delicious treats for all who shared in her extra special hospitality. She was the hostess with the mostest!

 

She was employed in secretarial work at Wilbur-Suchard Chocolate Co. and Alcoa before devoting her time to being the world's best mother to her 3 daughters. She later became one of the founding Nursery School Teachers at the Lititz Rec Center.  Her most gratifying career was as a Certified Nursing Assistant, using her love and compassion to comfort many elderly residents during her 20 year tenure at Moravian Manor, where she was honored with employee of the year. Even after her retirement she continued to bless the residents with her ongoing yearly visits, presenting staff and residents with her lavish Christmas cookie trays. Joyce was a dedicated member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lititz where she served in the Choir, as Sunday School teacher, on Consistory, and as a Stephen’s Minister.

 

Joyce was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a wonderful teacher and mentor. She enjoyed her retirement spending quality time with her family and cherished friends; traveling, going to the theater, dining out, and enjoying her grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments.

 

She is survived by her devoted daughters Linda Sympson, Mountville; Lisa Terry (Weston) Pipersville, and Lauren Sobon, Lititz; her brother, Warren Pettyjohn (Priscilla), Dallastown, sisters-in-law Irene Pettyjohn, Middletown, and Evelyn Loercher Weatherbie, CA; and her adoring grandchildren, Justin, Jordan (Lyndsay), Janson, and Juliann Terry, Lane Sympson (Adam Weber), Lindsay Sympson, (fiancée Sean Rowan), and Piper Sobon, as well as two great grandchildren, Isla & Haiden Terry. She is also survived by her doting companion of 10 years, John "Jack" Shounder. Joyce proclaimed "it is never too late to find love again" when she was reunited with her Lititz High classmate at a reunion breakfast at the age of 80.  "J& J" delighted staff with their senior romance as frequent diners at Scooters, ABC, Tied House, and Applebees.

 

Joyce was predeceased by her loving husband of 43 years, Ronald Loercher, and by her brothers, Raymond L Jr. and his wife Mildred, and Russell, her sons-in-law, Richard Sympson, and Dean Sobon, and infant great grandson Gabriel Terry.

 

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Joyce's Celebration of Life Service, Sunday afternoon April 14, 2024 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 West Orange Street, Lititz at 2:30 PM. Family will receive guests beginning at 1:30 PM until the time of service. For those unable to attend but would like to view the service, it will be live streamed on the church's youtube channel @stpaullititz

 

In lieu of flowers,contributions may be sent in Joyce’s memory to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 West Orange Street, Lititz, PA 17543, or Lititz Springs Park, P.O. Box 110 Lititz, PA 17543, noting her name in the memo. Otherwise, please simply remember Joyce by passing on a Random Act of Kindness.