Joyce Elaine Sifling

Joyce Elaine Sifling, 95, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 28, 2025. Born on December 5, 1929, to Emery Campbell and Ruth Eaton Campbell, Joyce was raised in Monroe, Wisconsin. She began her professional life as a manager at the local phone company before embarking on a distinguished career in the Foreign Service. It was during this time that Joyce met and married her husband, John Phillip Sifling. Their work took them across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean-John as a consular officer and Joyce as a vital member of the support staff. After many years abroad, they settled in Geneseo, New York, where they raised their family. A lifelong lover of nature and living things, Joyce found joy in feeding the many wild birds that visited the family yard in Geneseo. Her children grew up with parakeets as cherished members of the household and these colorful little birds remained Joyce's constant and beloved companions throughout her long life. Joyce also had a remarkable gift for nurturing plants, and everywhere she called home was always filled with a small jungle of green, growing things, each one thriving under her attentive care. Joyce had a deep love of learning and boundless creativity. After raising her children, she returned to school and earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Rochester-a testament to her intellectual curiosity and dedication. A talented artist, Joyce expressed her creative spirit through a wide range of hobbies, including painting, ceramics, cooking, and gardening. Her ceramic creations are proudly displayed in the homes of friends and family-a lasting reminder of her energy and imagination. Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Phillip Sifling, and her brother, Emery Campbell. Joyce is survived by her three sons: John Paul Sifling, Mark Sifling (Glen Shannon), and Stephen Sifling (Sarah Teres); as well as her three grandchildren: Tula, Molly, and Archer Sifling. A private family service and interment will take place at Temple Hill Cemetery in Geneseo, New York. Memorial contributions may be made to an environmental charity of your choice. Joyce will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, artistic flair, love of the natural world, and unwavering devotion to her family.