Joyce M. Willoughby of Seaford passed away peacefully in her sleep, on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at her home. She was born on March 5, 1939 in Federalsburg, daughter of the late William and Katherine Sommers.
Mrs. Willoughby was a graduate of Federalsburg High School, class of 1958. She was a cook at Seaford School and enjoyed her time and interaction with the many students who came through her cafeteria over the years.
Mrs. Willoughby had many hobbies and interests. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, creating lovely gifts for her many friends and relatives, and she had quite the green thumb, as evidenced by her beautiful and bountiful gardens. An avid traveler, Mrs. Willoughby was always excited to visit new places, be they near or far from home. A faithful member of Woodland United Methodist Church, she was very involved with church activities. Above all, Mrs. Willoughby cherished time spent with those she held most dear. She was a loving and devoted mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Loved by many, she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Willoughby was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Albert L. Willoughby; her brothers: Bill Sommers and Harry C. “Charlie” Sommers; and her sisters: Mary Hubble and Betty E. Hitch. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca A. Griffith of Seaford; her sisters-in-law: Ruthann Turner of Seaford and Shirley Sommers of Laurel; her brother-in-law, John W. Hitch, Sr. of Seaford; her nephews: James R. Turner of Seaford, John M. Turner (Carla) of Lewes, Rodney Hubble (Judi) of Hurlock, and John W. Hitch, Jr. of Seaford; and her many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Woodland United Methodist Church in Seaford. Burial followed the services at Woodland Church Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson-Yates Funeral Home, a Parsell Family Funeral Home in Seaford.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Woodland United Methodist Church, 5123 Woodland Church Road, Seaford, DE 19973, or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 669, New Castle, DE 19720.
Please visit Mrs. Willoughby’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at www.watsonyatesfuneralhome.com.