Joyce G. Keith

Joyce Keith, 78, beloved wife of Bill Keith, passed away Monday, January 10, 2022. Cherished mother of Shannon (Yorg) Rinker, Erin (Russ) Matteson, Shane Keith, Kevin (Lisa) Keith and Eileen Keith. Devoted grandmother of Emily Matteson and Hannah (Luke) Ammerman, as well as furry grandchildren Ziggy and Luna Rinker, and George, Max and Daenerys Keith. Dear sister of Jackie Hoffman and Jerome Knitter, and sister-in-law Jean (Terry) Keith-Altemus. She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Helen Knitter, her brother Jeffrey Knitter, her sister-in-law Sharon Rodriguez and her second set of parents, Bill (Sweet) and Jean (Bubby) Keith. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she was truly thankful to have attended Hannah and Luke’s wedding in California in October 2021. Joyce was the love of Bill’s life for over 59 years, and his soulmate. High school sweethearts, they married in 1962 in Chicago. Moving from Chicago to Glendale Heights after purchasing their first and only home in 1976, Joyce and Bill raised their family there, and Joyce helped raise others through her dedication as a mother figure to all her children’s friends, as well as her position as loving nanny to the Fruland, Norwood, Frederick and Carroll families. She loved family, fishing, animals (especially dogs) and pigs — and she really loved her scratch-off tickets! She spent many years raising and showing Chinese Shar-Pei dogs and was rarely without at least one animal in the house. A genuine people-person, Joyce was truly happy when she was making others happy. She was an amazing, loving person who would go with nothing to ensure those around her had everything. Her smile, infectious laugh, kind heart, ability to make someone feel special and always telling people she loved them will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have her in their lives. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial contribution in Joyce’s name to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).