Joyce Elaine Lehman, 72, died July 11, 2020, at Cedar Hill Care Center in Windsor, Vermont, following an extended illness with Frontotemporal Dementia. She was born Oct. 21, 1947, in Bellefontaine, the eldest child of Wilfred and Ruth Plank Lehman, and grew up on the family farm outside West Liberty. She graduated from West Liberty-Salem High School in 1965 and Goshen College, Goshen, Ind. in 1969.
She is survived by her sisters, Beth (Russell) Miller of Bellefontaine, and Sharon (Willard) Kendall of Evans, Colo.; and nieces and nephews Kati (Jeff) Wieck of Parker, Colo., Seth (Kelly) Kendall of Johnstown, Colo., Rachel (Tom) Moreland of Bellefontaine, Joel (Abbie) Miller of Columbus, Luke (Christian Moevs) Miller of Chicago and Martha (Adam) Ruggles of Columbus; along with great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Jenny Littlewood, her companion and caregiver, along with Jenny’s family, Helen Hughes of Lebanon, N.H., and Sean (Vibeke) Littlewood and children, Signe and Isak of Denmark. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by an infant sister, Winifred Jo.
After college graduation, Joyce spent a summer working in the Michigan migrant fields. She served as a dorm parent at Adriel School in West Liberty before moving to Vermont where she gardened extensively and grew dried flowers for a Boston market. She then became a dedicated employee at Garnet Hill, an international merchandise catalog company in Franconia, N.H. Her position as Director of Quality Systems allowed her to travel to various countries establishing new accounts for her employer. Joyce’s open, honest communication style also resulted in many international friendships.
Joyce was an avid biker and traveler. Her adventures ranged from trekking in the Himalayan Mountain ranges to biking to the lowest U.S. point in Death Valley.
At their home in Orford, New Hampshire, Joyce was happiest while getting her hands dirty in soil. She and Jenny created a nurturing oasis around their home for people, birds, butterflies, many small creatures and the frequent bear and bobcat. Joyce’s nieces and nephews remember her love of nature and her wide-ranging interests that led to interesting presents and conversations. She lived her life with courage, spontaneity and integrity.
Joyce’s final gift was her request that her anatomical remains be donated to the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. There will be a celebration of Joyce’s life at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Cedar Hill Activity Department, 49 Cedar Hill, Windsor, Vermont, 05089, and to Bayada Hospice, P.O. Box 1590, Norwich Vermont, 05055.