Joyce Marie DeRoche

Age 91 of Duluth, died with her loving husband by her side on September 6, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Cindi DeRoche; and siblings, Jeff, Daniel, Frank, Beverly, and Roberta “Bobby”.

Joyce was raised in the west end of Duluth. She graduated from St Jean the Baptist parochial school where she was a good student and active in many activities. She and Jim served as King and Queen in the honor court their senior year.  She and Jim were high school sweethearts and devoted to each other right from the start. After graduating she went to work at Bell telephone as a switchboard operator. She worked there for 41 years working her way up and retiring from the engineering department. She was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers serving as treasurer and attending many annual meetings across the country.

She and Jim were married in and remained members of St Jeans the Baptist church for 29 years.  In 1980 they built a home in Rice Lake township.  That was when they changed churches to. St Benedict’s Church and have been active members for forty-two years. Joyce loved taking care of the gardens at church and serving on many committees.  When they retired they attended Mass almost every day until Covid.

Joyce and Jim spent many winters in Yuma, Arizona and loved visiting with their “snowbird friends”. 

Joyce loved having all the family over for a big dinner at the holidays and made everyone who came welcome. She filled her home with love and happiness. We will remember her as a loving wife, mother, and the best big sister. 

Joyce is survived by her husband of 71 years, Jim; sons, Steve & Brian; grandson, Trevor; and siblings, Marsha Edgerton, David Waldron, and Paulette Mac Intosh. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2022, followed by an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, 1419 St Benedict St, Duluth, MN 55811. Interment at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Aftenro, Essentia Hospice, and Joyce’s dearest sister, Marsha for their outstanding love and care for Joyce.

A livestream of Joyce’s Funeral Mass will be available on the Dougherty Funeral Home Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/dfhduluth/