Joyce Marie Macke

Joyce Macke spent 40 years as a stockbroker, a successful, business-suited professional who always erred on the side of conservative investments for her clients at Merrill Lynch, Dean Witter and Coastal Equities. So it always came as quite a jolt when her clients would notice, among the many pictures on her office shelves, photographs of the tall, thin dancer in full chorus line regalia. When she got the typical "Is that your daughter?" she was ready with the answer. "No, no, that's me as a chorus line dancer at the Beverly Hills Supper Club back when it was the showplace of the Midwest." Beverly Hills Supper Club was a major stopover for top acts like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, Joyce was in the middle of that glitzy world as a chorus line dancer. Born Joyce Marie Bankemper in 1934, would go on to high school at Walnut Hills High School and then on to Rollins College. Joyce's greatest passion and most consuming endeavor, however, was not as a dancer or stockbroker, but rather as a mother to her five children, Michelle, Melissa, Chris, Angel, and John. For thirty years her life was consumed with PTA projects, sporting events, tutoring and teaching, as her children attended Sixth District Elementary, Holmes High School, Newport Central Catholic High School and Covington Latin High School. As her children grew, Joyce became more involved in politics and worked on dozens of campaigns, local and national, supporting candidates she believed in. She was a longstanding supporter and friend to legendary Mayor Bernie Moorman in Covington but she was also a vocal volunteer and an early supporter of Ronald Reagan for President in the late 1960s. Joyce herself twice ran unsuccessfully for Kentucky State Senate in a harsh political climate. For her entire adult life Joyce was an extremely active volunteer in the community. In addition to holding elective office as a School Board member, Joyce also served on the Board of Northern Kentucky Community Center at the former Lincoln Grant High School, was a volunteer at the Kenton County Boys Club. She was also one of the founding members, along with Carolyn Gastright, Peggy Pelstring and Marianne Henry, of the Wallace Woods Neighborhood Association, which continues to thrive in one of Covington's grandest and most historical communities. For many years Joyce also threw herself into her role as a volunteer and Elder at the Madison Avenue Christian Church. To Madison Avenue Christian Church (and many nearby homeless shelters and soup kitchens) she was as the daily "Donut Lady". For many years Joyce would drive her car over to Graeters in Cincinnati, and would pick up hundreds of donuts, and would deliver them to Madison Avenue Christian Church (which hosts evening meals for the less fortunate every week), homeless shelters and soup kitchens. Joyce married Dick Macke in 1961 and they remained married until Dick passed away in 2006. Along the way, she wound up with loyalties to his alma maters, Holmes High School and the University of Kentucky, as well as the Cincinnati Reds. "My Mom's character was evident in one particular event that I remember well" said her son, Chris Macke. "When we were in about the eighth or ninth grade, the coach required us to wear a coat and tie to school on game days. And after a while, my Mom noticed that one of the players on the team always had an excuse for showing up late and not being in a suit and tie. So she subtly pulled him aside and said 'I am taking you shopping tomorrow and we're gonna get you a couple of suits.' True to her word,
she took him to Value City and they worked out a deal for suits and ties and shoes and a belt. He never missed another game day and wore those suits with pride." Joyce passed away on September 22, 2024 at the age of 90. She was predeceased by her mother, Mildred Miller; her husband, Dick Macke; and her brothers, Dr. Bruce J. Miller and Duane Miller. She is survived by her children Michelle St. Clair, Melissa Ackman nee Macke, Chris Macke (Tricia), Angel Conn nee Macke (Brian Conn) and John Macke (Sandy). She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. There will be a visitation at Madison Avenue Christian Church on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 4-6 PM and a Memorial Service on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 4:00 PM. All are welcome to attend. Joyce's family in honoring her request that in lieu of flowers, donations to Madison Avenue Christian Church be made so that it can continue its good works serving the community in which she was involved and proud.