Joyce McDermott

Joyce B. McDermott, 84 of Platteville, WI passed away peacefully on Friday March 16, 2018 in the house where she was born and lived in most of her life. A mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday March 23, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Fr. John Blewett will be officiating assisted by Deacon Bill Bussan. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday March 22, 2018 at Melby Funeral Home and Crematory, Platteville, where Father Faustino Ruiz will be saying the rosary at 2:45 p.m. There will also be visitation at the church one hour before mass on Friday. Memorials may be made to the Joyce McDermott Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Joyce was born on August 1, 1933 to Joseph and Bernice (Goke) Howell. She married Bernard “Barney” Mc Dermott on September 19, 1953 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville. They were married almost 59 years before his death 8/11/2012. Together they had five children. Joyce was a full time mother and homemaker while the children were growing up, then later worked part time at a few local businesses.

At the age of 46 Joyce had open heart surgery at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, IA. She was one of the first to have this surgery and because of her surgery Joyce and Barney became very active in the “Mended Hearts Program”. They spent over 30+ years actively volunteering, providing education and support to heart patients and their families. Later in life they joined the Platteville Senior Center where they thoroughly enjoyed time with friends. After Barney's death, Joyce came to cherish the friendships she had at the Center and considered them her second family.

Joyce lived in Platteville her entire life and was actively involved in St. Mary's Parish. She received all her sacraments there and was always a very faith filled woman. During her lifetime Joyce had several serious health issues but courageously fought her way back, no matter how badly the odds were stacked against her. She attributed her will to live, her love for her family, and her unwavering Catholic faith as her sources of strength. By her example Joyce was a true inspiration to those who knew her.

Joyce was a two time breast cancer survivor. She and her husband organized the “McDermott Family Team” and participated in the Platteville Relay for Life for many years, raising well over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society. Joyce was actively involved in the VFW Women's Auxiliary and always did what she could to help Veterans. Joyce was the Platteville Chamber of Commerce “Mother of the Year” at one time, but her children felt she should hold that title every year.

Joyce is survived by her children: Dianne (Lonnie) Klein, Sherrill, IA; Mary J. (Steve) Habel, Dyersville, IA; Michael Mc Dermott and Patrick (Melissa) Mc Dermott all of Platteville. She is survived by twelve grandchildren: Jason (Stephanie) Klein, Sarah (Billy) Woodruff, Rayna (Jennifer) Mc Dermott, Joyce (Jason) Leininger, Samantha Ayers, Jenny Habel, Laura (Sean) Gallagher, Ashley (Paul) Miller, Kendall (Craig) Sander, Logan Mc Dermott, Patrick Mc Dermott the second, Abby Mc Dermott (Jasper Studelska); fourteen great-grandchildren: Kinsley and Keegan Klein, twin Woodruff baby boys due in May, Emma-Lee Mc Dermott, Sloan Leininger, Cody (Brittany) Kelchen, Cade (Alicia) Kelchen, Connor Brown (Brandon Dominguez), Manus and Declan Gallagher, Elsa Miller, Hazel and Charlotte Sander. Joyce is also survived by one great-great granddaughter Aubree Kelchen.

Joyce is survived by siblings: Robert “Bob” Howell, Tony (Delores) Howell, Connie (Bill) Eisle, Betty (Steve) Staskal, Beverly (Randy) Gobin; sister-in-law, Marla Grover; brothers-in-law, Ed Getter and Wayne Payne; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband “Barney”, their daughter Debra “Debbie” Jones Specht, her grandson Ryan Jones. Also gone before her were her two older brothers, Joseph “Bud” Howell MIA Korean War, Richard “Dick” Howell KIA Korean War, John Howell, Patricia “Pat” Molzof, Ruby Jane “Janie” Allen, Judy Getter, Ruthie Johnson, Mary Ann Bloom, and Janet Payne. Joyce also had a beloved Chihuahua named “Gracie Mae” who has been waiting for her at the “Rainbow Bridge”.

Family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Johnson/Cardiologist for saving Joyces' life more times than they can remember; Dr. Jeffery White for his more than 20 years of devoted, loving, primary care; Dr. Lawrence Kukla for more than 20 years of oncology care; Special thanks to all the Platteville emergency services personnel, emergency room and hospital staff at SW Health Center, Platteville. Thank you to all the staff of Medical Associates and Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque for care provided over the years, and to Paramount Ambulance Service for transportation when needed to Dubuque. Joyce was always so appreciative of all the wonderful care provided her and did not feel she would have been able to stay here with us as long as she did, without it. Joyce always felt better when she looked better, so many thanks to Evelyn Wiegel at the New Image Salon in Platteville for always working her magic and making Joyce feel better. Your friendship and kindness over the years was very much appreciated.