Joyce (Allstrom) Shafer, 83, passed away at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on June 15, 2019 after a brief illness. She was the daughter of Sarah and Harold Allstrom.
Joyce had a ready smile for everyone and is remembered as sweet, caring and outgoing. She always had a kind word for everyone. If anybody needed help, Joyce was the first one to offer a hand. Whenever she spoke of her two daughters or grandchildren, her voice would be filled with the kind of pride that came from deep and unconditional love.
Joyce loved animals. She volunteered at the ASPCA in Hyde Park. She loved all animals, but her heart was especially open to older dogs that were difficult to place. Due to her generosity, many of those dogs spent their final years living with her and her husband.
Joyce was born and raised in Warwick and later moved to Poughkeepsie. She had a long career at Montgomery Ward working in customer service, where she was one of their top sellers of service contracts.
She worshipped at the New Hackensack Reformed Church for 50-plus years and assisted in many of the church activities. Joyce loved golfing, bowling, shopping and spending time with the many friends she made over the course of her life.
Her bright personality will be greatly missed by her husband of 46 years, Robert Shafer; daughters Deborah (Esam) Johnson-Ghasia and Sharon (William) Struth; grandchildren Nicole, Katie, Mustafa, Hana and Nadira; her brother, Kenneth Allstrom of Warwick; and stepdaughters Sue, Trina and Katie. Joyce was previously married to the late James E. Johnson.
Calling hours will be from 3-5 p.m. on June 23 with a church service in Joyce’s memory held at 11 a.m. on June 24. Both will be held at the New Hackensack Reformed Church (1580 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dutchess County SPCA online at dcspca.org/how-you-can-help/donate or mail a donation to 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538.
