L. Joyce Saxe

L. Joyce Saxe went to Sleep in Heavenly Peace Thursday, December 4, 2008 at the home of her loving daughter and nurse, Peggy LaFond, in Kankakee, IL. He family gave her the best bithday present of her life by being at her side. A private service will be held to rejoice Mom's/Nana's desire to walk in the light of the Lord, I am the Light of the World: He that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the Light of Life John 8:12. There will be private graveside services for the immediate family. Her Grandchildren will carry her to her final resting place at the base of the Cross of her Lord Jesus Christ. Deacon Pat Skelly will officiate and lead her family singing The Lord's Prayer. Schreffler Funeral home is in charge of her arrangements. She was born in Plainfield, New Jersey to Ralph and Lila Woodruff. She married Captain Earl B. Saxe, a Methodist Chaplain who preceded her in death during World War II, she supported the war effort in the defense industry while her husband served overseas. Following the war, she raised her family of five children as a supremely devoted mother and Officer's wife. With frequent moves throughout the nation, she managed her houses with the greatest of care; careful to maintain a sense of home no mater the adress, careful to assure each one had food, a roof, warm bed, and lots of love. Graced witha wonderful sense of humor, even unto her end, she was a living definition of motherhood as providing her family with an unparalleled sacrifice of self. She was employed by Roper Corporation in Bradley, retiring in 1989 to enjoy spending her retirement years with her family in Pennsylvania and Illinois. While in Pennsylvania she was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church. She was an avid reader, artist, gardener, she loved being in the garden of her daughter while she spent several months recuperating, watching the birds, butterflies, Japenese Koi and beauty surrounding her. Over the years many Simese cats found the lap of Nana to sit on as she sat stroking them. In her final days she found peace with the beautiful white fur blanket that her daughter Becke sent from California, which will warm her forever. She loved to watch the games from Penn State as she proudly wore her Penn State Cap. Her life long passion was reading her Bibles, endless hours spent journaling in the columns of the worn pages, reciting John 6:35, Jesus said to them, I am the bread of Life, he who comes to me sahll never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. Her final weeks exemplified this promise. Her greatest comfort was hearing stories about her children and grandchildren and then retelling the stories with her added versions. She loved watching television, musicals and her son David's plays. She is survivied by her daughters, Judy and Chuck Schneider of Kankakee, Peggy and Alan LaFondof Kankakee, Rebecca Littell (Special Friend Kevin) of Sacramento, CA and Son, David and Laura Saxe of State College. Her Parents, brother, sister and great grandsons, Alexander and Trevor Schneider preceded her in death.She proudly wears the yellow band in memory of Trevor. Her second daughter, Terry Lee Saxe went ahead of her, to prepare for her arrival. Terry will now be the nurse responsible for caring for her forever. Her surviving grandchildren include: Scot and Shawna, Jeff and Tammy Schneider, Joe and Lolly, Ben, Marty and Tasha Steinke, Dustin and Carolyn and Darren LaFond, Daniel, Andrew, Deb and Kay Saxe, and Gordon Littell. Her great grandchildren include Haley and Oliver Schneider, Megan and Andrew Schneider, Lexie, Linday and Dillon Steinke, and Taylor, Tristan LaFond and Ben and Drew Ommen.