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Joyce Fink Willis died June 20, 2015 in Philadelphia, after a long struggle with Chronic Pulmonary Lung Disease (COPD). Joyce served as head librarian in cities in New Jersey and Illinois. She graduated from Topeka High School, received a B.A. from the University of Colorado and a Masters degree in Library Science from C.W. Post College in New York. She was a strong advocate for public schools, demonstrated a passion for social justice and shared her love of books and reading. Daughter Chanda Szozeblowski and son Jacob Willis, both of Chicago, two granddaughters and sisters Hannah Oppenheimer and Elaine Blumenthal survive her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurses Association, the American Civil Liberties Union or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
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Suzanne Robinett (Brown)
I'm just stunned and so very saddened by this news. Joyce and I were part of the same group in grade school and junior high - not as much in high school. But we did have dinner together with many of that old group on Friday night after the cocktail party. I remembr very well discussing my own pulmonary problems and telling the group that John Pat Atkinson (yes, I still think of him as "John Pat"!) had been such a help in finding me the proper doctor. She never said a word about having COPD and I don't remember her being on oxygen at the time.
I always remember Joyce as funny and compassionate and never afraid to go against the status quo. I still found her that way 50 yrs later.
I'm so sorry for her family for this terrible loss.