Joyce Siembieda

Columbiana August 6, 2007 Joyce Siembieda, age 64, of Columbiana died at 9:50 p.m. Monday in St. Elizabeth Health Center after suffering a stroke.

She was born July 18, 1943 in Youngstown, daughter of Ernest and Madge Hinerman Byo.

She had lived in Columbiana for 32 years originally hailing from Sharon PA.

Joyce's passion was helping children achieve their full potential in life. She had worked for several school systems over her career. She began her career working for Youngstown City Schools in 1965 where she worked with multi-handicapped students. In 1972 she moved to the Leonard Kirtz School/Mahoning County MRDD where she taught home economics and life skills. While finishing her Master of Science in Consumer Studies (Nutrition) she taught home economics at South Side Middle School in Columbiana, OH. In 1988 she began working with special education students at Rayen High School and then transferred to East High School. In 1996 she became the Coordinator of Developmentally Handicapped and Visually Impaired Programs for Youngstown City Schools until 2000 when she became the Director of Pupil Personnel Services for the school district. She retired from Youngstown Board of Education in 2001. After being called to meet with Eagle Heights Academy and seeing a need for her services in helping children with disabilities she chose to return to work in 2002. She remained at Eagle Heights Academy as Coordinator for Special Education until July of this year.

She was a member of the St. Jude Catholic Church. She was also a member of Dublin Grange in Canfield, OH. She had been active in the Mahoning County 4-H as a club Advisor for over 15 years and then continued volunteering as a sewing and cooking judge. Other professional affiliations included: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Council for Exceptional Children, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, and Youngstown Association of Supervisory Personnel. Joyce graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education degree in 1965. She received her Master of Science in Consumer Studies (Nutrition) in 1987 from Kent State University. She continued her education at Youngstown State University earning a Master of Science in Special Education in 1995. But her love of learning and gaining more knowledge to help all children achieve their full potential was aided with postgraduate classes at Youngstown State University and Westminster College.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald T. Siembieda whom she married April 3, 1964; two daughters, Mrs. Brian (Christine) Lanstrum of West Farmington and Debra McQueen of Arcadia, FL; three sons, John (Melinda) Siembieda of Leetonia, David (Rochelle) Siembieda of Austintown, and Kevin (Bonnie) Siembieda of Orlando, FL; a sister Beverly Boyle of Howland; as well as, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Reverend Thomas Ziegler at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in St. Jude Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Columbiana Cemetery.

Friends may call 4-8pm Friday at St. Jude Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers monetary donations can be made to Franciscan Missionary Union.