Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Joyce Norma Richardson, 86, died Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at Providence Care Center, Sandusky, after a lengthy illness.
She was born December 3, 1934, in Sandusky, OH to Carl W. and Thelma M. (Casper) Speer. She was a lifelong resident of Perkins Township. She graduated from Sandusky High School in 1952 and worked at Ohio Bell, beginning as an operator and then being promoted to an instructor.
She married Quentin C. Richardson on April 14, 1953, in Angola, Indiana.
She later worked in the Huron City Schools and Perkins Township Schools as a cafeteria aide and cook. She also was a clerk at the Lawson's Convenience Store and Hill's Department Store. After retiring once, she began a second career at Applebee's Restaurant where she was known as "Miz Joyce" to her young coworkers.
She was a voracious reader, a talented knitter, and a wonderful cook. She was a master baker who loved to share pies with her son John's coworkers. She enjoyed fishing trips with her family and loved animals of all kinds. She spent hours watching the squirrels and birds that visited her feeders and enjoyed volunteering for the Humane Society of Erie County.
She always said she was a "tough farm girl." When a car crash killed her husband, she was left with few resources and four sons still at home. She had grown up during the Great Depression and knew how to stretch a dollar. She worked long hours for little pay at whatever jobs she could find. Every spring she planted a huge vegetable garden. Every summer she canned and froze produce to feed the family over the long winter.
But through all the tough times, she taught her children and grandchildren some important life lessons. Be respectful. Be kind. Accept other people. Be honest and fair. Put kids (all kids, not just your own) first. Work hard - you can do anything if you are willing to work hard enough to make it happen. Never whine or complain - instead, get up off your duff and do something about it.
Mom, thanks for all you taught us.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Carl W. and Thelma M. (Casper) Speer; her husband, Quentin C. Richardson in 1975; her maternal grandparents, Carl E. and Norma E. (Schmid) Casper and her paternal grandparents, Andrew and Magdalena J. (Gutzeit) Speer.
She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Ann M. (Mark) Knapp of Kent, OH; four sons, David C. (Karen) Richardson of Goodrich, MI, Robert B. (Marla) Richardson of Norwalk, OH, John H. (Lori) Richardson of Sandusky, OH and James M. (Susan) Richardson of Worthington, OH; along with 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff of Providence Care Center and Stein Hospice for caring so tenderly for Joyce during her final journey home.
At Joyce's request, there will be no visitation or burial service. There will be a private remembrance service for family at a later date. Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Joyce's name to the Humane Society of Erie County, 1911 Superior St., Sandusky, OH 44870.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.grofffuneralhomes.com
