Joyce B. McDonald

August 6, 1922 - August 31, 2020

Joyce B. McDonald, 98, of Philmont, NY passed away August 31, 2020. She was born August 6, 1922 in Hudson, NY to the late Gustave and Ruth (Best) Erickson. Joyce graduated from Hudson High School in 1941. She attended Cedar Crest College until meeting and marrying her husband of 57 years Henry J. McDonald. She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Her faith was a very important part of her life. It allowed her to remain positive, cheerful, helpful and loving even during life’s unexpected challenges. She worked 27 years at Pine Haven Home as a nurse’s aide, was a Hospice volunteer, phoned homebound seniors, visited nursing home residents and provided transportation to appointments for friends. When her children were young she was the neighborhood chauffer transporting her children and their friends to baseball and basketball games, the Community Theatre and swimming daily at Oakdale Beach. Joyce is survived by her daughter Marthana (Ronald) Wood, four grandchildren Joshua (Julie) McDonald, Jeremy (Jennifer) McDonald, Ronald (Amanda) Wood Jr., Candace (Peter) Wood Forcucci, eight great-grandchildren Zachary, Nicholas and Brooke McDonald; Caiden, Riley and Cameron Wood; Porter and Russell Forcucci, and nephew Mark Erickson. Joyce was predeceased by her husband Henry J. McDonald, son James McDonald, daughter Verdie McDonald Hunt, son-in-law Charles Hunt, daughter-in-law Deborah McDonald, granddaughter Paula Wood, brother William Erickson, sister-in-law Jane Erickson, stepmother Viola Erickson, niece Ellie Erickson and twin great-grandchildren Kane and Kaylee McDonald. Joyce’s family would like to thank her friends from Richardson Hall, St. Mark’s Church, Philmont Nutrition Center, Pine Haven Home, and especially Mary Potts, Paula Melnick, Bonnie Feller, Sharon Poucher, and Mike and Nancy from McNan’s Deli for all of their acts of kindness. Also, a special thank you to all of those from the old neighborhood who returned years later to stop and visit with Joyce to show their appreciation for being included in the numerous car trips she so gladly provided. She was so happy to be remembered and appreciated. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 11:00 am from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, in Philmont. Interment will follow in Mellenville Union Cemetery. In memory of Joyce, please call or visit a nursing home resident when restrictions are lifted.