Obituary of Joyce Eugenia Tobin-Reynders

Webster: On Thursday, October 24, 2019, age 91. Joyce Tobin-Reynders was the oldest of 4 children born on Christmas Day, 1927 in Irondequoit, NY to Frank and Helen Frey.

     She attended St. Thomas School and Nazareth Academy.  She graduated from Nazareth College in 1949 with a degree in Social Work.  Her Social Work career changed when she met her future husband, Frederick Marshal Tobin.  Those values would carry on through her lifetime.  They were married on November 10, 1951 and immediately started a family.  They would go on to have three children, Marshal, Kathleen and Cynthia.

     Joyce knew her life’s compass and her pillar of strength that came from life’s challenges and struggles.  Among the challenges that Joyce would face would be her husband’s illness.  These circumstances would require her to raise her family as a single parent.  She would go on to provide a warm, safe and loving home for her family.

     Her devotion to her faith was the cornerstone leading her to care for her parents. She prayed daily for the protection of her brother Frank who served a career in the United States Marine Corps, her brother Bill who served as the police chief of Irondequoit, and her sister Gloria for strength in the raising of her family.  She recognized the blessings in her life: faith, health and love of family.  One of the greatest joys in her life was being a grandmother. To her family she was known as Nonni.

     Joyce had a second opportunity at love when she met Norb Reynders.  They were married on 12/26/76 and would share their love for the next 36 years.

     Joyce loved to cook and entertain for her family, especially at the holidays.  She also loved nature, especially flowers, birds, the four seasons, reading and current events.  She especially loved to travel. Some of her favorite places were Cancun, Mexico, St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and Williamsburg, Virginia.

     Joyce was truly a loving and generous person. She was always there to listen, counsel and support.  At the end of her life she was tired from life’s journey. She had given all that she could and was ready “to go home”. True to her character she would say, “Don’t worry about me.”  Her final act was to shed a single tear that was an expression of the beauty beyond our world.  Joyce had several sayings that will be forever in our memories.  “It’s a glorious day.” “I love you all”. “Love You Forever”

     Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Maplewood Nursing Home