Joyce was born March 2nd, 1930, in Belleville, Town of New Hudson, daughter of Lynn and Lila Schoonover Mowers. Due to the snow the Doctor could only make it part way, so Joyce’s father had to go pick the Doctor up with the cutter and the horses. Joyce and her family shared the family farmhouse with her grandmother who she was close to. She graduated from Cuba Central School, Cuba NY in June 1948.

On July 4th, 1948, she married the love of her life, Alvin L Gildner and they were happily married for 53 years until his passing in November 2001.

They resided in the Belfast area until 1978 when they relocated to Deland, Florida. Joyce was employed at the Deland Hospital where she was the baker from 1978 until her retirement in 1992. Upon retiring Joyce volunteered at the Meals on Wheels kitchen for 18 years, retiring again in 2010.

Joyce loved to garden, and you could find her every day tending to her gardens both inside and outside of her home. In addition, she loved to read and do word finds and crosswords. She also enjoyed baking and her “care” boxes to her boys at Christmas time were legendary!

She was of deep faith and was a member of the Lutheran Church of Providence in Deltona Florida.

She is survived by her four loving sons, Keith (Catherine) Gildner of Franklinville, NY, Dale (Marcy) Gildner of Deland, Florida, Dennis (Ruth) Gildner of Belfast NY, Kevin (Claudia) Gildner of Wellsville NY. In addition, she was blessed to have 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and many many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and three sisters, Helen Cole, Agnes Wesche and Nancy Dickens.

Friends will be received at the Treusdell Funeral Home, Belfast, on Saturday August 9, 2025, from 11:00am to 2:00pm at which time a funeral service will be held. The Rev. Chuck Maine will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Belfast Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Treusdell Funeral Home 65 Main Street Belfast, NY 14711.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lutheran Church of Providence 1696 Providence Blvd, Deltona Fl 32725, or the charity of their choice.