Helen Joyce Zavislak was born May 6, 1946, in Houston, Pennsylvania, to Adolph and Anna (Jastrzebski), the youngest of seven children.
Joyce was a 1964 graduate of Inglewood High School in Inglewood, California. Joyce was united in marriage and became stepmom to a daughter, Jacqueline (Webster) and then adopted daughter, Mary. In 1977, a daughter, Jaime (Floyd) was born and in 1979, came son, Jason. In 1988, the Brownells moved from Carson, California, to Milford. Joyce was a graduate of Bryan School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. After her children graduated high school, Joyce moved from Milford to Crete.
Joyce was a proud Babka to several grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings; a niece, Vicki; and granddaughter, Katie. Joyce is survived by her two remaining siblings; her children; grandchildren; nieces; nephews and many beloved family and friends. Joyce died peacefully on April 9, 2025, with daughter, Jaime, and son, Jason, by her side.
Joyce did not want a funeral or celebration of life. She wished for her body to be donated as an anatomical gift to the University of Nebraska-Omaha Medical school or Creighton University School of Nursing. After her donation is complete, her ashes will be placed in Gladstone, Missouri, where her mother is buried. There will be a Catholic Mass at that time.
