Joyce C. Personius, 70, of 519 Caswell Road, Freeville, and formerly of Newfield died Sunday, May 08, 2011 at home. She was born July 13, 1940 in Ithaca NY, 2nd daughter of the late Nilo and Ernestine Cage Ballardini. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1958. She lived in the Ithaca and surrounding area most of her life, also residing temporarily in Arizona and Florida. Joyce was a waitress for many years at several Ithaca diners including Leonard’s Coffee Shop, The Appletree Café and Carl’s Café
She was an Avon Lady and representative for many home party plans including Sarah Coventry Jewelry, Tupperware, Home Interiors and House of Lloyd to name a few. She had worked on the Ithaca Commons at Holley’s, Urban Imports, April Cornell, and retired from Woolworth. She had been a Home Health Aide. She operated her own small business, Accents, in Freeville and Dryden for several years. She was a member of Car Pride car club, the Dryden Senior Citizens, Moose auxiliary, and a lifetime blood donor for the American Red Cross. Joyce had an adventurous spirit and zest for life. She always took care of others before herself. She loved planning family gatherings and having her family around. She enjoyed traveling, car shows, flea markets and holidays, especially Halloween, often winning prizes for her creative costumes.
She is survived by her husband Donald L. Personius at home, children Liane Delong of Newfield, Norine Jarrell of Ithaca, William “Bill” (Christina) Delong of Ovid, stepchildren Donald K. Personius of Etna, Sharon (David) Cudlin of Waterloo, Thomas (Susan Kennedy) Personius and Rick Personius of Newfield, brothers-in-law David Pixley of Rome NY, Bernard Personius of Brooktondale, 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Joyce was predeceased by her sister Jean M. Pixley and half siblings Thelma L. Carlison and Joseph A. B. Stearns, and sisters and brothers-in-law, Alice Harrington, Beatrice Kimpland, Frances “Peg” Hakes and John “Jake” Personius.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be at 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 19, at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main St., Dryden. Her family will receive friends Thursday at the Freeville Fire Department on Factory St. from 3 to 5 pm after the service. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to The American Cancer Society, Hospicare of Ithaca, or make a blood donation to the American Red Cross in her name.
Coffee Shop, The Appletree Café and Carl’s Café
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