Joyce E. (Piorkowski) North

AUBURN | Joyce E. Piorkowski North, 75, formerly of Anderson Circle, Auburn, passed away peacefully Monday, May 7, 2018, at Auburn Community Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
 
She was born in Auburn, the daughter of the late Joseph and Clara Kowalczyk Piorkowski and had been an area resident for most of her life.  She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church.  Joyce attended and graduated from St. Hyacinth’s Parochial, Mt. Carmel High School, Auburn Community College (MS), SUNY Brockport (BS), and Syracuse University (MA).  Her 36 years of teaching experiences included second grade at Genesee Street School, kindergarten at Herman Avenue Elementary, and the remaining 34 years at Casey Park Elementary School, retiring in 1999.  Joyce enjoyed traveling with her late husband, George, and many friends and colleagues, took her to all 50 states, many European countries, cruises to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Hawaiian Islands, Bermuda, Australia, and New Zealand.  Her two most cherished adventures were swimming in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and cruising the inside passage of Alaska.  She also volunteered for several years at the Seward House, Merry Go Round Theater, was treasurer of the Dream Team Investment Group, President of the International Culinary Experience, and member of the Blue Hairs and Water Lillie’s.  Joyce led an active and fun filled life and will also be remembered for her cooking, gardening, and landscaping.  She hosted numerous memorable themed parties at her home with great food, music, and live entertainment.  Her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and quick-wit will always be remembered and never forgotten by all who were fortunate enough to get to know the “Polish Princess!”
 
She is survived by her loving children, three sons, Carl (Marcy) North, of Union Springs, Chris (Debbie) North, of Interlaken, N.Y., and Michael North, of Auburn; six grandchildren, Nicky (Sean) Farrell, Curtis North, Jamie and Sarah Wech, Megan Bor, and Cody Budd; seven greatgrandchildren, Seamus, Liam, Zachary, Zoey, Hunter, Bennett, and Isadora; a sister, Claudia Piorkowski, of Auburn; two brothers, Brian (Kim) Piorkowski, of South Carolina, and Joe (Pam) Piorkowski, of Indiana; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her parents, Joyce was predeceased by her husband, George in 1987.
Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. this Friday afternoon at Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn.  Friends and relatives are invited to join the family at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday in St. Mary’s Church for Joyce’s Mass of Christian burial with the pastor, Rev. Frank Lioi as celebrant.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

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