Joyce B. Allen's Obituary
Joyce B. Allen, 89, Leesburg, Florida passed away on December 10, 2022 at Ruleme Center, Eustis, Florida. Joyce was born on April 25, 1933 in Syracuse, New York to her parents Frederick Backenstross, Jr. and Julia (Miller) Backenstross.
Joyce was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. In her last year of High School, Joyce was enrolled in the Third Order Secular. After graduating from High School in Syracuse at the age of 16, she entered the Franciscan Order. Her first teaching assignments were CCD classes, and the students were her age! Joyce went on to teach school for 50 years in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, Hawaii and Florida. Joyce Moved to Leesburg in 1989, when Fr. Allen Stahl was Pastor. Joyce became very involved at St. Paul’s School. Joyce was a Lector and Lector Trainer Coordinator. She was also a Eucharistic Minister and Sacristan. She was in the Church Choirs – that included the Resurrection Choir specifically for Funerals. Because of her involvement in so many ministries here at St. Paul’s, Joyce was given the 2002 Volunteer of the year award.
She is survived by a step-daughter: Mary Jane Efstathiou and her husband, Chris of Bainbridge Island, WA; her close dear friends: Cecilia Grcic, Sally Canaday, Becky Draime, Barry Jordan, and Gwen Skold and many loving nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dexter Allen, and her beloved brothers and sisters.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 at 8:30AM at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Leesburg, Florida with burial to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Leesburg, Florida. A visitation will be held prior to the Funeral Mass on Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at Page-Theus Funeral Home Chapel, Leesburg, Florida with a Prayer service during the Visitation at 4:00PM.
Donations may be made to St. Paul Catholic Community at 1330 Sunshine Ave.
Leesburg, FL 34748.
Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.pagetheus.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Page-Theus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Leesburg.
What’s your fondest memory of Joyce?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joyce?
Share a story where Joyce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joyce you’ll never forget.
How did Joyce make you smile?
