Joyce Collom

Joyce Collom, 92 of Lancaster, PA passed away on May 14, 2024, at Willow Valley Communities.  She was the loving wife of Charles Collom who died in July 2020. They were married on January 24, 1953, at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge, PA.

Joyce was born in Hallam, PA on September 19, 1931, and was the daughter of Lester and Nora Carpenter. The family moved to Ambler, PA when Mr. Carpenter was appointed Chief of Police where he served for 38 years.  

Joyce grew up in Ambler and played on the Ambler High School Girl's Field Hockey and Basketball Teams and was also a cheerleader. After high school Joyce worked for the FBI in the Philadelphia office. She continued to work there while her husband Charles served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After Charles returned from being stationed in Germany, he re-entered Penn State University and he and Joyce moved to State College, PA. Joyce worked at the Penn State Library. They were long-time Nittany Lion fans and season ticket holders of Penn State Football.

Upon graduation, Charles and Joyce moved to Chicago and started their family. The couple and their young children moved from the Chicago area to Lancaster in 1965 when Charles was transferred there by Armstrong. Family was a priority for Joyce. She was a homemaker and supported Charles’ career and her children’s activities. Joyce volunteered at Lancaster General Hospital and Meals on Wheels, and later in life helped at a local therapeutic horseback riding program.

She was a member of The Lancaster Men’s Garden Club and a long-time member of the Lancaster YMCA, participating in aqua fitness and other classes. Joyce enjoyed golf and joined ladies’ 9-Hole golf leagues.

Joyce was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lancaster, and Donegal Presbyterian Church, Mount Joy, where she served as a deacon. In her later years she attended Boehm’s Church, Willow Street.

Joyce loved vacationing with her family at Moose Pond, ME and taking trips to the Jersey Shore.

In the early 1980s, her husband Charles was transferred with Kerr Glass Manufacturing Corp. to the Chicago office, and the couple moved to Lake Forest, IL. There, Joyce volunteered at the Lake Forest Hospital and enjoyed trips into Chicago. Joyce befriended Agnes Belushi (John Belushi’s mom) who helped get Joyce an extra part in the movie, “Sixteen Candles,” which was being shot nearby. Joyce said that was one of her favorite experiences.

Joyce and Charles were transferred back to Lancaster with Kerr Glass, and that’s where they retired. Joyce enjoyed traveling overseas and visiting her children and grandchildren. Joyce is survived by two children, a son, Drew (Nancy) Collom of Bentonville, AR, a daughter, Jamie (Vincent) DeBartolomeis of Centennial, CO and four grandchildren, Kimberly Collom, Bryan Collom, Macy LaPorta (Patrick) and Sarah DeBartolomeis. Joyce’s sister June died as an infant, and her brother Craig Carpenter of Ambler, PA passed away in September 2023.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Glen at Willow Valley who provided compassionate, excellent care for Joyce for six years.

The family will hold a service for Joyce at Boehm’s Church, Willow Street, PA on June 1 at 11 a.m. Family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Water Street Mission in Lancaster, and Hospice & Community Care, Lancaster, PA.