Obituary of Joyce Ann Westhoff

Joyce A. Westhoff, 69 of Orlando, FL passed away on February 11, 2024, after an extended illness.

Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 PM on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, IA.  Visitation will continue at the funeral home from 9 - 10 AM prior to funeral mass.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. Gabriel Mensah will officiate.

Joyce was born December 3, 1954 in Rochester, PA, to Capt. Charles and Anna (Zarillo) Tarazano. Her father’s career in the U.S. Air Force gave Joyce the opportunity to grow and learn in Georgia, Illinois, Arizona, Guam, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Joyce graduated from Rochester High School, Rochester, PA in 1972. After high school, she studied at Penn State before joining the U.S. Navy. Joyce served as a Hospital Corpsman from 1974-1976. Joyce returned to school in 1982, and earned a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1984.

While stationed at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, IL, Joyce met and married Paul J. Westhoff. Joyce and Paul shared 48 years together, welcoming three children as they moved around the country while Paul continued to serve in the U.S. Navy. The family lived longest in Pensacola, Florida, and most recently in Orlando, Florida.

Joyce was a devoted wife and mother, insisting that we all be the best humans we could. Family time always included UNO, where her luck ensured a wealth of Draw 4s aimed at the rest of us. Joyce’s strength and infinite love will be deeply missed by her family. She is survived by her husband, Paul; her children, Alicia Reid of Brighton, MI, Dr. Erica (Dr. Ned Schoolman) Westhoff of Reno, NV and David (Jessica) Westhoff of Black Diamond, WA; her grandchildren: Darcy Reid, Gordon Reid, Anna Reid, Jack Schoolman, Alex Schoolman and Charles Westhoff; her sisters  Annette Costanza and Terri (Frank) Cottone; her brothers and sisters-in-law Dennis (Ginny) Westhoff, Clare Westhoff, Steve (Marie) Westhoff, Lola Westhoff, Luann Schrock, Amy (Bruce) Goldsmith, Donna (Jeff) Thomas; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law Ambrose and Isabel Westhoff, son-in-law Mark Reid, and brother-in-law Luke “Jeff” Westhoff.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Orlando Health Cancer Institute. 

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.