Joyce E. Bobbitt

Joyce E. Bobbitt, 79, of Downingtown, PA passed away peacefully at Paoli Hospital on Hospice Care on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, surrounded by her Arc of Chester County family and her friends. Joyce, more loving referred to as Joycee, is survived by one sister and her beloved feathered friend, Lucy. 

Joycee was born in Chester County on December 22, 1944. Joycee spent her entire life building a family for herself and while doing so she created a large family throughout Chester County and at The Arc of Chester County. Her smile was infectious, and her care and love for others boundless while her determination never wavered. Once you were a part of Joycee’s family circle you remained a member of her cherished family. 

Joycee’s early years were significantly impacted by the social injustice and lack of knowledge by many professionals of the time on what was possible if only given the opportunity. These barriers and obstacles fostered resilience in Joycee, and she grew into an independent, strong, and compassionate person who protected herself and all those she loved without apology. She hit every challenge head on, and always came out on top due to her fierce determination. 

Early in her adult career Joyce worked with several employers until she found her forever place of employment at The Arc of Chester County in 1991. Joyce worked for the last 32 years until she officially retired in 2024. She advanced from her first position as a van aide for The Arc of Chester County preschool to a teacher’s aide and eventually to an administrative professional. She loved each child and all her colleagues unconditionally. No matter what job Joycee was doing she always did it with pride and to perfection. The number of lives Joycee positively touched cannot be measured simply because they are too many to count. She had a profound impact on all who came into her circle and countless more who benefitted from her advocacy work. 

Joycee was a fierce advocate for individuals with disabilities and spent decades of her life advocating for equal rights, opportunities, and inclusion. She went to the capital for many rallies and met with countless legislators and elected officials to educate them and advocate for people with disabilities. It was Joycee’s dedicated advocacy efforts that helped lead to the passing of legislation that improved the lives of children and adults with disabilities. She was also an active participant in the Chester County Self-Determination Committee meetings and fundraisers for decades. Joycee was a very dedicated philanthropic leader and supporter of The Arc’s crowdfund-fundraising efforts for its Annual Bubble Walk & Fun Day and on several occasions was crowned the Team Winner of the most funds raised and/or the largest team of participants walking. The other teams would often hear, “I am sorry I already joined and gave to Joycee’s Team.” 

Joycee was not all business. She also loved to have fun. She was an avid traveler who went on several cruises, to Key West, and the Jersey Shore just to name a few. Joycee’s favorite vacations were her trips to the Phillies Spring Training Camp in Florida for more than a decade. She met many Phillies players and the manager on several of her trips. Joycee also enjoyed horse-back riding, the Special Olympics, bowling, dining out, bingo, dances, visiting her Arc family and friends, and watching TV, especially the Phillies, Family Feud, and the Golden Girls. 

As Joycee aged, she found new ways to have fun and had many hobbies. She made beautiful bracelets and would make them for everyone she knew and met. She loved doing puzzles, coloring, calling her friends, and taking care of her home and her beloved bird, Lucy. 

A visitation, celebration of life and luncheon will be held at The Arc of Chester County located at 900 Lawrence Drive, West Chester on Friday, August 9, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by the Celebration of Life at 11:00 am. In honor of Joycee, please feel comfortable to come dressed in Phillies attire! All are welcome to attend a luncheon that will immediately follow the celebration of life. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joycee’s memory to the place Joycee loved and called home, The Arc of Chester County. Donations in memory of Joycee Bobbitt can be made online by visiting: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/IMO_JoyceeArcofCC or sent by mail to The Arc of Chester County 900 Lawrence Drive West Chester, PA 19380.