Joyce B Kanze

Joyce B. Kanze, 86, of North White Plains, died Tuesday, August 4, after a long illness.
Born Joyce Marie Brownell in Johnstown, NY on September 21, 1928, she grew up in Johnstown, Gloversville, Amsterdam, and Northville. Joyce was the daughter of Burdett E. Brownell, Sr., longtime mayor of the Adirondack village of Northville, and Helen Mullen, originally of County Galway, Ireland. Joyce attended Skidmore College for one year before completing her undergraduate education at Potsdam State Teacher's College, from which she graduated in 1951. At Potsdam she met her fellow teaching student and future husband Edward J. Kanze, Jr. of North White Plains. They married in 1951 in New York City. Joyce and Ed had three children: Maggie Silton of Chapel Hill, N.C; Ed Kanze of Bloomingdale, NY and Nora Manuele of White Plains. Joyce is survived by her husband; her three children and their spouses, Andy Silton, Debbie Kanze, and Paul Manuele; her four grandchildren, Kate Silton (Roger Williams), Drew Silton (Kate Weissler), Ned Kanze, and Tasman Kanze; her two great-granddaughters, Annabel and Emily Williams; and her sister-in-law, Annette Brownell. She is also survived by many much-loved nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Burdett E. Brownell, Sr., and grandchildren Diana Silton, Anne Manuele, and Paul Manuele. Joyce taught with enormous energy and devotion at Post Road School and Church Street School in the White Plains school system from 1970 until her retirement in 1989. During her teaching years, she completed a Master's Degree in Education at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. With her husband, Ed, and her children, Joyce enjoyed summer vacations walking the beaches of Cape Cod and attending theatrical performances at Long Wharf and elsewhere. She had an inquiring mind, forever reading, asking questions, and pursuing knowledge in many fields. To her husband and children she was a devoted wife and mother and will be sorely missed. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service open to all will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 50 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY on Saturday, August 8, at 2:30 pm. All are invited to a reception in the parish hall after the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joyce's memory may be made to the National Parkinsons Foundation or the Valhalla Ambulance Corps.