Joyce W. Hensley

Joyce Carol Williams Hensley, of Greenwich Village in New York City, died at the age of 93, on February 22, 2023.   Joyce was born to Carl B. Williams and Jenny Sheola Williams of Phillipsburg NJ, on April 14,1929.  Left to remember her are her loving cousins, Anna Marie Piperato Orchulli and family of PA , and Beth Orchulli and family of NJ, as well as cousins and dear friends who loved her.

Joyce received her BA from Cedar Crest College in PA, and her Masters from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She taught honors English at Susan E. Wagner High School in Staten Island, NY for over 40 years.  She traveled extensively through Europe and was accepted as a student to study literature at a prestigious university in Ireland.  She was an avid reader and still perused the New York Times every day.  She led a life of her own design, and loved to tell the stories of her days traveling and of time spent with family and friends.  

Joyce was very active in supporting the arts in NYC and attending performances, particularly at Lincoln Center.  The last performance she attended was in January, an all Balanchine program at NYC Ballet, which she cherished.  She generously donated to support the arts, to organizations supporting education for underprivileged children, to human rights groups and to women's rights groups.  She believed that everyone deserved the same opportunities in this world and that education was a key component to success.  Donations can be made in her honor to any like minded organization.

Joyce was a unique and independent woman with an indefatigable spirit.  A fiercely loyal friend with a wicked sense of humor who also enjoyed laughing at herself.  A devoted fan of all the arts, she had a special place in her heart for Mozart.  Joyce went to great lengths to avoid being insensitive to others, but could not avoid sharing her true criticisms in confidence.  And one of the last, great guardians of correct grammar and usage.

A graveside service will be held on March 8, 2023 at St. James Lutheran Cemetery beginning at 11 AM. The Finegan Funeral Home, Phillipsburg have been entrusted with the arrangements.