Joyce Ann Gaston, 81, of Rossiter, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Embassy of Hillsdale Park.
She was born in Punxsutawney on December 19, 1943, a daughter of the late Anne (Smith) Becker and Cliff Becker.
On March 13, 1964, she married David “Bud” Gaston. They enjoyed sixty-one years of marriage and raised a beautiful daughter together.
Early in her working career she worked at Rola Jensen and Standard Pennant. Joyce later worked as a dedicated teacher at Punxsutawney School of Beauty, where she shared not only her skills and knowledge but also her passion for helping others succeed and made a lasting impact on their lives.
She had a lifelong love for raising horses. Nothing brought her greater joy than sharing that passion with her granddaughter Ashlee, especially when showing horses at the Farm Show in Harrisburg. The bond they shared went beyond the ribbons and trophies, it was about the time spent side by side, working hard, laughing and celebrating their successes. The bond deepened with the birth of Ashlee’s daughter Jaelyn. Joyce was so proud to be part of helping raise her great granddaughter.
Although no one is sure where she found the time, Joyce was wonderful at canning, cooking and baking, she was well known for her whiskey cakes and buns.
In addition to her husband David, she is survived by one daughter, Stacy (Ted) Depp of Rossiter; one granddaughter, Ashlee (Chris) Bish of Punxsutawney; one great granddaughter, Jaelyn Bish; two sisters, Kay Thompson of Knox and Marcella Hodgson of Punxsutawney; one sister in-law, Georgia (Bob) Grant of Mars.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no viewing. Arrangements entrusted to Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.
Her ashes will be interred later at Circle Hill Cemetery.
