Helen “Hirko” Joyce, 91, of Blairsville, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at home surrounded by family.
The daughter of George J. and Helen (Urban) Hirko, she was born on January 23, 1935, in Palmertown, PA.
Helen was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, Coral, PA, where she was a member of the Pastoral Council, the Finance Committee, and was a Eucharistic Minister. Helen served as President and Treasurer of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and she was also a member of the church choir.
Helen graduated from Blairsville High School, Class of 1952. She worked as a secretary and business manager for the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District in Blairsville for 29 years before retiring.
She married David L. Joyce on November 22, 1956, and they shared 52 years of happiness before his passing. Together, they founded Joyce Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. in the early 1960’s.
She is survived by her three children, David L. Joyce, Jr. (Marlene) of Blairsville, John J. Joyce (Kimberly) of Blairsville, and Annette M. Weed (Charles Lee) of Friendswood, TX; grandchildren, Kristen Ianni (Jeff), Alissa McNulty (Doug), Leann Roacha (Max), and Leslie Bell (Roland); 4 great-grandchildren; special friend, Barbara Detwiler; and several nieces and nephews.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husband, David L. Joyce on July 25, 2009; daughter, Dorothy Joyce in 1964; brothers, Joseph Hirko, George Hirko, August Hirko, Michael Hirko, Andrew Hirko, Edward Hirko, and John Hirko; sisters, Ann Salisbury and Mary Lupyan; and three infant sisters, Helen, Ann, and Mary.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA. A funeral Mass will take place at the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Coral, PA at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 14, 2026 with Fr. John Pavlik, celebrant.
Interment will be in SS. Simon and Jude Cemetery, Blairsville.
To view the online obituary, sign the guest registry or send condolences visit www.shoemakerfamilyservices.com.
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