Joyce Margaret Lawson Dugan Decker, age 84, of 100 Walker Drive, Edinboro, and a lifelong resident of the Edinboro area, died Monday, May 25, 2009 at Millcreek Manor after an extended illness. Born in Warren, PA on September 1, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Violet Baxter Lawson.
Decker, Joyce Margaret Lawson DuganOver the years, Joyce worked primarily as a secretary at various employers including G.G. Green in Warren, PA, and Snap-Tite in Union City where she retired in 1973. She also, along with her first husband, Joseph Dugan, owned and operated Dugan’s Custom Meat Cutting in Waterford for many years.
Joyce lived a full life and especially cherished time spent with her family. She enjoyed reading, was a member of the Edinboro Book Club, and she even took library science classes at Edinboro University and was a former librarian at the Waterford Public Library. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Edinboro, her adventuresome spirit lead her to earning a private pilot’s license, she enjoyed cooking, and she loved animals, especially her Golden Retriever, Elliott.
Preceding her in death was her first husband, Joseph Dugan, and her son, Reverend Brent Dugan.
She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Joyce Petrick Dugan of Cambridge Springs; three grandchildren, Brent Petrick and Julie of Cambridge Springs, Chad Petrick and his wife Christina of Wimauma, FL, and Natalie Miller and her husband Eddie of Edinboro; two great-grandchildren, Ciara Petrick and Brayden Miller; three siblings, Myrtle Wallin and husband Gerald, William Lawson and wife Margaret, and Alice Rapp and husband Jim, all of Warren, PA; also, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home of Edinboro, 306 Erie Street, on Saturday from 1:00pm until time of the memorial service at 3:00pm. Officiating will be Rev. Jean Henderson, a close family friend from Pittsburgh.
Memorials may be made to Asera Care Hospice, 1600 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505.