Joyce Neufeld Obituary

Joyce Neufeld

March 18, 1946 - July 22, 2025

Joyce Neufeld, 79, passed peacefully into the arms of her Saviour on July 22, 2025, at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Born on March 18, 1946, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Joyce was raised in the Hill Country of Texas and considered Kerrville her hometown. She retired to Waynesboro, Virginia in 2006 and fell in love with the community.

A talented musician in her youth, Joyce attended Sam Houston State University on a band scholarship and later earned degrees from both Sam Houston State and Seattle Pacific University. She devoted her life to education, teaching students of many ages and abilitiesfrom preschool through high school. Her career was marked by compassion, creativity, and numerous achievements that reflected her dedication to fostering learning and growth.

Joyce was a resilient woman who faced and overcame life's challenges with quiet strength and grace. She started her career in disadvantaged schools in rural Texas, often going deep into the countryside, climbing fences and sitting on porches with parents to convince them to let their children attend school. With her students, she transformed a ramshackle old building into a functional classroom, creating a valuable hands-on learning experience for all. Later, she moved to the Pacific Northwest where she spent decades not only teaching her students but also training the next generation of teachers. She completed her educational career as director of First Presbyterian's Preschool where she also served on Session for several years.

Joyce found joy in gardening, sketching and painting in watercolor, genealogy, and exploring new places through travel. Whether working with her hands in her gardens or capturing beauty on the page, her gentle and creative spirit touched all who knew her. A woman with a deeply charitable and open heart, she never hesitated to give of her time and herself to others.

She is survived by her loving husband, Norm Neufeld of Waynesboro, Virginia; her beloved son, David Queenann of Seattle; and her cherished granddaughters, Abby and Bati Queenann, also of Seattle. She is also survived by step-daughters Brenda Rempel and Valerie Wiegle, four step-grandchildren Ashley, Conner, Kristina and Kenny and two step great-grandchildren Kaiden and Callen, all of the Seattle area. She is also lovingly remembered by her nephew, Johnny Miller of Knoxville, Tennessee and his mother, her sister-in-law, Maria Miller.

Joyce will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Joyce's memory to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.