Greece: Passed away December 31, 2025, at age 81. She is predeceased by her husband, John R. Merkel; siblings, Donna (John) Buchel, Steven Hammond; and brother-in-law, Kevin Scanlan; She is survived by her children, David (Ellen), Daniel (Kim), and Rebecca (Michael) Yonckheere; grandchildren, Christopher and Emily Merkel, Grant, Katherine, Alyssa, and Reagan Merkel, Ella and Juliette Yonckheere; her siblings, Bud (Gina) Hammond, Mary Scanlan, Bob (Kathy) Hammond, Julia (Glen) Annable, John (Judy) Hammond; Many special nieces and nephews, close friends, neighbors, contacts through Euchre, bowling, dolls, and dialysis and her health care team.

Joyce’s life story will be shared during her visitation on Thursday, January 8th from 4-7 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane, 14626. (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.) Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 9th at 10 AM at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Rd., 14626.

Remembering Joyce (Hammond) Merkel ~

Joyce is the daughter of the late Harry and Julia Hammond. She was one of 8 children, 4 girls and 4 boys, and grew up on Andover Street in Greece. She attended St. John’s School, Nazareth Academy and graduated from Greece Olympia HS. She worked as a secretary and was introduced to Jack, through her sister Donna and her future husband, John Buchel. They used to double date. After the wedding, they bought a house (with Joyce’s savings for the down-payment) at 115 Springfield Ave. in Rochester where they had 2 children, David and Daniel. Dan was born with a serious heart defect, and Joyce was always able to hold it together during this difficult time and never neglected her duties or her family. Joyce was a homemaker caring for the children, house, meals, school and watching soap operas. She also worked as the librarian at St. Philip Neri school where Dave and Dan attended.

Joyce and Jack then moved to Judy Ann Dr. in Greece where Becky was born in 1977 when Dave was 12 and Dan was 10. Joyce was just an incredible mother to the three of us. She was our biggest supporter. She was the taxi driver until we were old enough to drive. She was so crafty and always helped with our school projects, home sewn clothing, costumes and home decor.

She brought us up in the Roman Catholic faith showing us how to act towards others. She was a great example in being loving, responsible, resourceful and showing perseverance in difficult times. She would never let anyone give up, or be idle.

Joyce started a porcelain doll making business with her mother and sisters. They went to numerous art and doll shows and held weekly classes for many years. Joyce was a very talented doll artisan and won several awards and was featured in magazines. She was known for her painted eye technique and miniature crocheted doll clothing. The family still cherishes the dolls that she made!

Joyce loved gardening. Her favorite places were her back porch and garden swing. Her yard and her plantings were lovely, and she was very proud and protective of them (those darn deer). Becky and Joyce share a special bond through their love of ladybugs, and you would see many ladybugs in her gardens and home.

Joyce’s hobbies include camping with the family, euchre, golf, bowling, playing Words with Friends and surfing the Marketplace and Facebook with her IPad. She has a large circle of friends that she has remained close with through many years.

Family vacations to the Thousand Islands, Darien Lake, Adirondack Mts, Lake George, Conesus and the Disney Trip of 2012 will always be memorable and cherished.

She also had a great passion for fishing, especially in the Bluefin boat Joyce and Jack owned for many years “Jack’s Toy”. Joyce always caught the biggest fish. She was also known for her fishing hats, fishing umbrella, and her wool hat she wore in the summer.

She developed pulmonary problems at a fairly young age, and it eventually started to really affect her life. She fought extremely hard to qualify for a lung transplant and she finally received Amanda’s lung on March 18, 2002 making her one of the longest living transplant recipients. She became an excellent advocate for her own health. She had many serious health scares during those years and survived them all. We considered her a medical miracle, the ‘iron’ woman of lung transplants. She was like a cat, she had at least 9 lives.

Joyce was unbelievably proud of her children and grandchildren. She loved attending events, sports, watching videos, and hearing about everyone’s accomplishments. She was looking forward to Emily and Scott’s and Kate and Mark’s upcoming weddings.

She loved her family, children, and grandchildren with great passion and was always happiest when everyone was gathered. Thanksgiving was Joyce’s favorite holiday, and Jack and Joyce’s anniversary. They celebrated their 60th Anniversary in 2024 in good health and surrounded by the whole family. This year, after Dad passed in October, she made sure she didn’t miss Thanksgiving and Christmas with us before meeting up with her Love again for New Year’s.