Obituary of Joyce Gilroy

Joyce M. Gilroy of 121 S. 3rd St. Olean passed away Sunday (April 12, 2015) at the Buffalo General Hospital after a brief illness. Born July 30, 1935 in Olean she was the daughter of Frederick Ransom and S. Lorraine Phillips. At the age of two Kenneth Guinnip adopted her after his marriage to Joyce's mother Lorraine. Joyce was a graduate of Olean High School and later received a bachelor's degree in Biology from St. Bonaventure University in 1964. She went on to pursue theological and pastoral studies. She served others with joy, whether it was with her gift of hospitality in her home such as cooking, or with the many volunteer organizations she was active in for years. Music was her primary passion and she worked as a church organist or choir director for many of the congregations in the Olean area from the early 1970's until recent years. Often she was a substitute church organist, a piano and organ teacher to students and a music director and musician for area theatrical groups. Joyce volunteered in many capacities including the Olean Rehabilitation Review Board, the Olean Cancer Society as city chairman, the Olean School Board of Elections, the Cattaraugus County Board of Elections, the American Red Cross and was a hospice volunteer to the terminally ill. She also helped organize the first board to serve with the Olean Community Theatre. She served the longest tenure with St. Mary of the Angels Church. In addition to her music ministry she was a eucharistic minister, a volunteer with the funeral bereavement luncheons, helped with the RCIA team, taught CCD classes for 9th and 10th grade and served in many other quiet ways with the church. She also served on the board of Friends of Good Music, sung with the Gospel Choraliers, played piano for musical benefits for Cuba Memorial Hospital, was a member of Friends of the Library and belonged to the Chamber Music Society of Olean. As a testament to her faithful service, she was the first layperson to be awarded the Ecumenical award from Greater Olean Association of Churches. While working at St. Bonaventure Church she was welcomed into the Third Order of St. Francis in which she also helped as a director. Surviving are 11 children Anne Parks of Olean, Brenda Gilroy of Gaithersburg, MD, Cheryl (Scott) Jacobson of Endicott, William (Margaret) Gilroy, Jr., Garry Gilroy of Olean, Martha Patton of Gaithersburg, MD, Stephen Gilroy of Olean, Joseph Gilroy of Olean, Mary Fusco of Jamestown, Christina Malone of Olean and F. Peter (Emily) Gilroy of Allegany; 29 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a brother Fred Ransom of California and a sister Cynthia Kane Alsbrook of Indiana and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 3 grandsons Michael R. Parks, Jr., Louis Fusco and Gabriel Gilroy; a granddaughter Brittany Malone and a son-in-law Michael R. Parks, Sr. Friends will be received on Thursday from 2-4 & 6-9pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. Funeral services will be held Friday (April 17, 2015) beginning with a prayer service at 9:15am in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Angels Church. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or to Homecare and Hospice 1225 W. State St. Olean, NY 14760. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.