Joyce Elaine Sawa

Of Plum, age 76, died on Thursday, August 19, 2021.

Beloved mother of Michael (Leigh Ann Parente) Chalfant of CA, Michele (James) Dusch of Monroeville, Kimberly Drahusz of Youngwood and the late infant Scott Chalfant.

Loving grandmother of Zachary Dusch, Brandon Dusch, Michael Dusch, Kassara Dusch, Alexis Skuhrovec, Marlena Skuhrovec and Lorenzo Drahusz.

Proud great-grandmother of Lilah Skuhrovec.

Joyce was preceded in death by her brothers, Edward and Ronald and her sisters, Dottie and Jean.

Joyce was also survived by her loving partner, Agustin Estrada.

Joyce was a 1962 graduate of Charleroi High School and a 1976 graduate of California University of PA. She became a social worker and became the director of the MH/MR program of the Mon Valley Health Center. At age 60, she was proud to complete her certification in Special Education and taught at Gwyneth Ham Elementary School in Yuma, AZ., from where she retired.

Joyce was devout and strong in her Christian faith. She enjoyed singing, dancing, reading and traveling with Agustin. During retirement, she also became enthralled with acrylic painting.

Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family, seeing them happy and fiercely loving them.

Friends are welcome on Saturday, August 21, from 5-8pm at Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Turtle Creek / Monroeville Chapel, 1111 Monroeville Ave., Turtle Creek, 412-823-9350.
Joyce will be laid to rest on Sunday at 1pm in Penn Forest Cemetery in Penn Hills.