Joyce Ann Blakeslee, age 73, of 26512 Mackey Hill Rd., Union City, PA passed away of natural causes at home on Friday, January 23, 2015, surrounded by family and friends just as she wished. She was born on November 1, 1941, in Rockdale Township, Crawford County, a daughter of the late Charles Porter and Marion E. Kebort Porter.

Blakeslee, Joyce AnnAfter graduating from Cambridge Springs High School with the class of 1959, Joyce married John E. Blakeslee on June 6, 1959. Deeply committed to her family, she possessed a strong Christian faith and enjoyed a lifelong thirst for knowledge. When not crafting she was likely curled up with a good book at her favorite camping site.

She was preceded in death by her husband – John E. Blakeslee on May 8, 2007, and by her sister – Barbara S. Paulus on August 2, 2004. She is survived by her children – John R. Blakeslee and his wife, Heidi of Erie, PA; Theresa L. Goldsmith of Cambridge Springs, PA; Joseph P. Blakeslee of Pennsylvania; Justin B. Blakeslee and his wife, Dana of Charlotte, NC; and Jason P. Paulus of Waterford, PA. She is also survived by her grandchildren – Jacqueline, Jesse, Brianna, Samantha, Alicia, Aaron, Michaela, Brandy, Kelly, Sara, Bella, Jack, and Emma; as well as her great grandchildren – Aunastasia, Marcus, Sammy, Piper, Jethro, and Jaden.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Monday, Jan. 26, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and are invited to funeral services there on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Darren Barnett associate pastor of the First Baptist Church of Cambridge Springs officiating. Interment will take place at LeBoeuf Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society, 2115 W. 38th Street, Erie, PA 16508.