Joyce M. Laird

Joyce Laird, wife, mother, grandmother, and long-time resident of Lyndhurst, died December 26, 2018 after a long bout with Parkinson's disease.

Joyce is survived by her husband, William Laird; her four children, Fred, Carl, Jeff, and Jason; her brothers Gilbert and Michael;
and her eight grandchildren. She was predeceased by her father, Fred, and mother, Catherine.

Joyce was born in Peoria, Illinois on November 29, 1937. She earned a four-year scholarship to the University of Illinois but chose to
start a family instead. She attended Dyke College to receive her Bachelor's degree and got her Master of Business Administration degree in 1977
from Cleveland State University. She retired in 1995. Joyce was an amateur presidential scholar who often spent summer vacations visiting
presidential birthplaces and libraries. Her library consisted of several books on each president as well as books relevant to the time periods in which they governed. She had plans to write her own book.

Joyce was also a champion for women's rights and a staunch advocate of the Equal Rights Amendment.
She was a long-time member of the League of Women Voters and gave speeches at local colleges.
In retirement, Joyce and Bill traveled throughout the United States, including Alaska. They split their time between
Lyndhurst and Conneaut, and later Florida, until her Parkinson's disease forced their move back to Lyndhurst full-time.

In Joyce's long life, she was always a fighter and one of the leaders of her generation who fought against "the glass ceiling."
She was a kind and loving person who wanted the best for people and balanced being a wife, mother, employee, advocate, and historian.

FRIENDS MAY CALL FOR A MEMORIAL VISITATION ON FRIDAY, JUNE 28 FROM 6 TO 8 p.m. AT
THE FIORITTO FUNERAL HOME, 5236 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst, OH 44124.