Joyce Ann McKiernan

Joyce Voit McKiernan, a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed to perfect peace on March 20th, 2025.
She was born on April 4th,1936 in Louisville, Kentucky to Adeline and Irvin Voit. Joyce was named most intelligent of the class of 1954 at Mercy Academy. She was an early non-traditional student at Bellarmine College, graduating with a BA degree in biology in 1972 with honors. Her 48 year career as a medical technologist included working with Dr. Bernard Popham and the U of L pulmonary clinic. She had an outstanding work ethic and worked for over 30 years without missing a day of work. Joyce was an accomplished seamstress and her handiwork included intricate knitting and crocheting projects that she gifted to family and friends. She married her teenage sweetheart, favorite dance partner and love of her life, Ron McKiernan, October 20th,1956, and together, raised 5 children.
Joyce was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother who treasured and was so proud of her family. She faced many challenges through her life and was carried by her unwavering faith. Her tenacity, resilience and determination was evident in her 9 year journey after having a life threatening stroke. A devout Catholic, her values were influenced by the Beatitudes, as she lived a life of service to others with a guiding principle of the common good. She generously shared her time, talent and treasure in service to her church community at St. John Paul II (St. Pius X) in various committees, at Saint Vincent DePaul Open Hand Kitchen, Al-Anon Family Groups, Right to Life, on the board for the IceHouse Recovery and a leader in CLOUT.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ron McKiernan; and her brother, Ronald Voit. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Karen Hagan (Tony Sewell), Laura Gaeta (Bob), Pat McKiernan (Robin), Ronnie McKiernan and Maria Wuerth (Joe Paul); 16 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; her sister, Norma Oeswein; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Thursday, March 27th, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Frances of Rome Catholic Church, 2119 Payne Street, at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 28th, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1600 Newburg Road.
The family is grateful for the staff at The Pinnacle and the care she received there and through Hosparus.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mercy Academy, Bellarmine University, IceHouse Recovery Inc. or Hosparus.