Joyce E. (Mancine) Kmetz

Joyce E. Kmetz, age 87, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, at Meadow Falls in Madison.

Born on December 9, 1938 in Cleveland, Joyce was the daughter of the late Michael Mancine and Fidelma (Block) Mancine. A long-time resident of the area, she resided in Painesville her entire adult life.  Joyce graduated from Mentor High School in 1956, where she actively participated in clubs and the school newspaper. She briefly attended Western Reserve College, now known as Case Western Reserve.

While raising her children, Joyce served St. Mary’s school for many years in the Mother’s Club, and as a lunch and playground monitor, and volunteered at St. Mary’s library. During this time, she earned her Associates Degree in Library Science from Lakeland Community College. Joyce was a dedicated professional and a woman of lifelong learning. After her children left St. Mary’s, she took a position at the library at Lake Catholic High School for 8 years. During this time, she supported and attended theater and band performances, and many athletic events. After leaving LCHS, she continued following and cheering on school athletics as well as theater performances. She also served as a Band Parent and spent many evenings volunteering at Bingo.  Eventually, she accepted a position at Perry Public Library, where she worked until retiring after 25 years.

Joyce’s commitment to education and her community left a lasting impact on those she served. As a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Painesville since the late 1950’s, she volunteered in every capacity that she could. Joyce was a Eucharistic Minister, RCIA Director, Youth Group Director, Lector, and Bereavement Choir Member. She never said No to any request when asked. She supported her children’s extra-curricular activities throughout their education, and then the same with her grandchildren’s interests. Joyce was a dedicated Hospice volunteer, becoming very close with the families that she aided, and mourned along with them for the patients that lost their fight for life. Joyce also served with the Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve. She was an extremely devout Catholic and her faith meant everything to her.

 While her own life was wrought with hardship and pain, she gained fulfillment by helping and supporting others. No matter who asked, she always showed up for them.  She was generous with her time and also with money that she really couldn’t spare. Joyce was fiercely independent but humble. As she grew older, her body betrayed her and even though it was difficult to walk and get around, her determination gave her the strength to be where she needed to be. She was an avid reader and was never without a book to read, or recommend. She was also a great patron of the arts, enjoying art and craft shows, music, and theater, in particular, attending her grandchildren’s various performances.  She loved football, whether it was high school, college or professional, and loudly cheered for The Ohio State University, University of Notre Dame, John Carroll University, Lake Catholic High School, Perry High School, Mentor High School, and her beloved Cleveland Browns.

Joyce spent her final years at Meadow Falls in Madison, where she was well-liked by the nurses, aides, and therapists, who all came to her bedside to say their goodbyes. Special thanks to Adoration Hospice for their compassionate care throughout her last months and her final days. And to Dr. David Blech for his wonderful care. 

Joyce is survived by her children, Gregory (Tammy), Joan (Shane Brown) and Timothy; her sisters, Lola O’Brien and Judy Gance; her grandchildren, Alyssa (Luke) Hearty and Kyle Brown, and great-grandchildren, Irene and Jackson Hearty. 

Memorial calling hour will be 9:00 – 10:00 AM Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 242 North State Street, Painesville. Inurnment will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Painesville.

The mass will be live-streamed.  Go to stmarypvl.org and click on the facebook link.

Please do not send flowers ... Donations to Adoration Hospice, 944 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, OH 44004 Or Christ Child of the Western Reserve, 9324 Mentor Ave., Unit 1, Mentor, OH 44060

“Near us is a celestial spirit, who, from the cradle to the tomb, does not leave us for an instant, guides us, protects us as a friend, a brother; will always be a consolation to us, especially in our saddest moments.”  Padre Pio        

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