Obituary of Joyce Mae Stammer

GOUVERNEUR – Joyce Mae Stammer, age 88, of Gouverneur, passed away surrounded by her loving family on April 14, 2019 at the Carthage Center Nursing Home where she has resided for two years. Calling hours will be held at French Funeral Home in Gouverneur on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. immediately followed by her funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in the East Riverside Cemetery. Joyce was born on May 13, 1930 in Macomb. She was one of 16 children to the late Alvin and Bertha (Dane) Washburn. She attended Gouverneur Central School. Joyce married Donald J. Stammer on April 6, 1957 at the Macomb Wesleyan parsonage officiated by Rev. James Keyser. Joyce and Donald owned and operated the Laurellea Farm in Gouverneur for many years. Joyce was an avid gardener and loved to feed and watch her birds. She enjoyed baking for her grandchildren, quilting and crafting, and attending the Macomb Community Church events. Joyce was a member of the former E.J. Noble Hospital Auxiliary. Her survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Michael Backovski of Waynesboro, VA and Deborah and Steven Horn of Abbottstown, PA; brothers, Arthur, Charles (Donna) and Richard (Liz); and sisters, Sarah (Ford) Reynolds, Ada (Donald) Bayne, Mary (Harold) Bresett, Anna Washburn, Leona "Skipper" Jones and Bettie Rook. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Andrew, Allison, and Katie Backovski, Steven Horn Jr, Christina Wilson and Cassandra Horn; and a great-grandson, Henry Horn. She is predeceased by her husband, Donald; brothers, James and Sylvester Washburn; and sisters, Nilah Sias, June LaVack, Joanne Washburn and Eleanor Solar. Donations in memory of Joyce may be made to the Macomb Community Church, 12 Co Rt 7, Gouverneur NY 13642. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.