Joyce Ann George

Joyce Ann George, 83, died peacefully at home on January 9, 2024. Born in Boston, Mass, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Rosalind Amirault and was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Lawrence, in 2018.

Following high school, Joyce worked as an executive assistant in Boston for five years before choosing to become a homemaker and raise a family, roles in which she excelled, particularly during an itinerant period in which her husband’s job promotions had the family living in four states over six years. Joyce was the heart and soul of the family, ensuring that every hotel suite, motor lodge, and house was immediately transformed into a home. Her dedication to making every birthday, graduation, promotion and holiday (yes, even the minor ones) extra special was honed during this time, and continued right up until her mailing of Halloween cards this past October.

She was never happier than when hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, with both her turkey stuffing and Buch de Noel the stuff of legend. Her Christmas Eve drop-ins were for many the high point of the year, and are memories anyone who ever attended will cherish, and her daughter is committed to continuing these traditions. In this same fashion, the home was always an open-house, with whomever walked in the door immediately subject to repeated requests that they have something to drink and eat. Most meaningfully, her warmth and generous spirit always extended to the friends of her children, whom she wholly embraced and always remained a source of love and comfort for.

Shortly after the family moved to Lancaster in 1982, Joyce began a very rewarding career at Hamilton Watch, where she forged friendships that would last the rest of her life. After a subsequent spell with HACC, she and Lawrence coordinated their retirements and spent the rest of their life together sharing adventures, of which there many. Cruising was their preferred mode of transport, alone or with beloved siblings and in-laws. Though enchanted by many of the Caribbean islands, no places spoke to Joyce more than Paris and Rome. Sprinkled throughout these years were also a number of extended family vacations at often unexpectedly rustic locations in New Hampshire and Maine. More recently, family bungalow getaways with her children and grandsons in Ocean City and especially Rehoboth Beach provided many laughs and more than a few frameable photographs.

Joyce emerged from a period of deep grief following the death of her husband with a plucky, independent spirit that saw her forge a new life of self-reliance and discovery of talents unknown. Turns out she was quite the handywoman. Joyce loved to laugh; had a lively, occasionally ribald, sense of humor, and she never lost her thick Boston accent, which merely added to her charm. She was a voracious reader of mystery, suspense, and ‘whodunit’ novels, enjoyed crossword puzzles, and adored Carol Burnett, Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Meryl Streep, “Moonstruck,” “Mama Mia,” and “Best in Show.” Of course, a home isn’t really a home without a dog and a cat, and Joyce made sure her ‘family’ was complete at all times with an array of beloved pets over the years. Her greatest pleasures in life were her children and grandchildren, whom she cherished and supported and doted on each day of their lives. Her absence is profound.

Joyce is survived by her son, Lawrence (Dianna) George, daughter Michelle Kauffman, and grandsons (and lights of her life) Jonathan Kauffman and Ethan Kauffman. She is also survived by brother Raymond (Annette) Amirault of Lynn, Mass.; brother Russell (Betty) Amirault of Newburyport, Mass.; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces but most notably nephews Scott Eddy of Falmouth, Mass. and Kyle Eddy of Hooksett, NH, and aunt Pauline (LeBlanc) Smith of Braintree, Mass. Son and daughter wish to thank St. Leo’s Parish and Hospice & Community Care for their support during the past week. In lieu of flowers it is respectfully suggested equivalent donations be made to Hospice & Community Care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service at DeBord Snyder Funeral Home, 141 East Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602 on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM. A friends and family gathering will be held at the funeral home on Monday, January 15 from 5:00-7:00 PM, and again on Tuesday at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. To leave an on-line condolence for the family, please visit: DeBordSnyder.com