Joyce E. Janke Dolph, age 68, of Harborcreek Twp., passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, December 5, 2010, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Her passing followed a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born September 11, 1942 in Erie, a daughter of Irene Everett Janke of Erie and the late Chester Janke.

She had resided in the Erie area her entire life. Joyce was a 1960 graduate of the former Academy H.S. She had been briefly employed as a school bus driver for 10 years by the Harbor Creek and Iroquois school districts. Everyone who knew and loved Joyce also knew that she truly enjoyed life and played much harder than most people work throughout their careers. In September of this year she was able to participate in a seven-day Caribbean cruise with her entire immediate family; a voyage for which her family will always be grateful.

Joyce was a member of Simpson U.M. Church. In addition, she was also a member and past president of the Lawrence Park Fishing Club, as fishing was one of her cherished activities. She had founded a bocce league for the Special Olympics of Erie County and was a member of the "Browns' Backers" group at the Sunflower Club. Other clubs that Joyce was a member included: the Sweet Adelines, AmVets, American Legion, Carl Neff Post #571 Auxiliary, and the Women of the Moose, East Erie Moose Lodge. Her hobbies and interests included golfing, bowling, reading, ceramics, 4-wheeling, jet skiing, boating, camping at the family lodge at Grand Valley in Warren Co., playing bingo, scratching instant lottery tickets and going to garage sales. Joyce was a "frequent flyer" to the Presque Isle and Seneca/Allegany casinos. She dearly loved and cared for her beloved pet dachshunds.

In addition to her mother, Joyce is survived by her beloved husband of 48 years, Gary A. Dolph; three daughters: Lisa Skrutsky (Bill), Patricia Zeigler (Steve) and Jenn Purpura (Shawn), all of Erie; seven grandchildren: Emily and Buddy Skrutsky; Kyle, Hannah and Austin Zeigler and Olivia and Hunter Purpura; four sisters: Judy Hewett (Don), Janet Ames (Larry) and Joan Parks (Mike), all of Erie and Jean Bleil (Kenny) of Harborcreek Twp.; two brothers: Arthur Janke (Judi) of Fairview Twp. and David Janke (Linda) of Erie. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The Dolph family wishes to extend a very heartfelt thank you to very dear and wonderful family friends, Shirley Carideo and Sue and Dan Sutton. Special thanks also goes out to Joyce's health-care aides, Brenda Roth and Patty Owens for their excellent care and loving support.

Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., East, 2607 Buffalo Rd., on Tuesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend the Funeral Service there on Wednesday at 10 a.m. conducted by the Rev. George Kennedy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Regional Cancer Center, 2500 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16505.