Joyce M. Gofonia

Joyce M. Gofonia of Trumansburg passed away at home on Monday, June 16, 2014 at the age of 78.

Joyce was born on November 3, 1935 in Newfield, a daughter of the late LaMont and Ethel (Ayres) Swartwood. She was a graduate of the Odessa High School. In later years, she worked in Ithaca helping with polling and voter registration during elections.

Joyce had a green thumb growing large gardens every summer. It was typical for her to plant upwards of 50 tomato plants, all of which produced large quantities to be canned. She also enjoyed planting flowers and cooking for her family.

Joyce is survived by a daughter, Donna Carman of Trumansburg; two grandchildren, Kimberly (Derek) Furry of Mansfield, PA and Timothy Carman of Nelsonville, OH; two great grandchildren, Ara and Nora; a sister Julia (James) Rogan of Lansing; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Gofonia; son in law, Richard Carman; sister, June Skellet; and brother in law, Richard Skellet.

The family will be present to receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00pm on Friday, June 20, 2014 at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 2:00pm at the funeral home. Prayers of Committal will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Ithaca.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Joyce’s memory to kindly consider the Alzheimer’s Association, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204.