Joyce M. Pretsch, age 89, of Greece, New York, passed away on November 15, 2025. Her final days were spent lovingly at home, surrounded by family, with George, her life-long love, her “Protector” since high school, and husband, by her side.

She was born in Queens, New York, in 1936, to parents George and Mildred Layton. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, in Queens, New York. She had lived in the greater Rochester area for most of her adult life and proudly retired from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester in 2011.

Joyce is predeceased by her parents, her brother, George, her sister-in-law Pat, and her son-in-law, John. She is survived by her husband, George, two sons, Robert Pretsch (Melissa) and Christopher Pretsch (Amy), daughter Deborah Lachimia (John, d. 2020), as well as several grandchildren, Michael (Kaci), Kelly, Anna Joy (Denis), Alex, Cooper, and Ruby, and a great-granddaughter, Josie.

She wore a smile that never seemed to fade. She was so eternally happy that the rare moments in which she lost her temper have become family legend. She was famously allergic to mustard, so you would find none in her renowned potato salad. She loved word puzzles and loved having George by her side to share them with.

Joyce never seemed to be without a crisp five-dollar bill and reason to give it to someone else. She could find a holiday card for any conceivable occasion and receiving one has long been the unofficial welcome to the Pretsch family – a family she adored and was so proud of. She will be missed and loved, endlessly.