Joyce Therese Krejsa

Joyce Therese Krejsa, age 85, passed away on April 27, 2025. A loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and passionate educator, Joyce used her lifelong love of art to inspire and encourage generations of students. She believed that the work of visionary artists could provide insight and inspiration for young lives and positively shape their futures.

Like Frank Lloyd Wright, Joyce built a strong early foundation rooted in family, service, and purpose. Growing up in Cleveland, she met Jim, her beloved husband and life partner, as teenagers along the shores of Lake Erie at Euclid Beach Park. While teaching and performing jazz and tap dance, she went on to study at St. John College, where she developed her talents in education — a vocation that would span four decades. Together with Jim, she moved to Northfield Center, where she lovingly raised her four children — Julie, Jeff, Jamie, and Jennifer — with a blend of independence, encouragement, friendship, and unconditional love. She instilled in them the confidence, values, and skills needed to build meaningful lives and families of their own.

Joyce became an integral member of her community, generously giving her time and energy. She served as the lead moderator for the St. Barnabas Parish High Club, mentored countless teenagers, and supported numerous CYO and local baseball, softball, and basketball teams. Yet, her greatest gift to the community was her service as a beloved math and art teacher at St. Barnabas School for more than 30 years.

Like Claude Monet, one of her favorite artists, Joyce believed that art could change how people perceive the world, especially children. Going far beyond crayons and construction paper, she introduced students of all ages to the world’s greatest artists, sharing the motivations behind their works of art and encouraging children to create their own masterpieces to share proudly with their families. Her commitment and love touched thousands of children, and it was common for her to be warmly greeted by former students — now adults — with hugs and smiles wherever she went.

Like Vincent Van Gogh, Joyce’s passion and love were vivid and immediately visible. She was a fiercely loving and supporting grandmother, listening closely to what was important in her grandchildren’s lives, offering encouragement and advice, and proudly celebrating their success and offering warm comfort during setbacks. She loved her Cleveland sports teams, Cavaliers, Browns and Guardians, always supportive and always with new hope at the beginning of a new season.

Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Teacher. Joyce was her own beautiful and unique form of art.

Loving wife of James Krejsa; cherished mother of Julie Komos (Tom), Jeff (Filomena) Krejsa, Jamie (Jennifer) Krejsa, and Jennifer Allen (Mike); adored grandmother of Laurel, Brennan, Jakob, Helena, Luka, Jackson, Jessica, Julia, Ava, and Marnie; dear aunt, cousin, and friend to many. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Anton and Mae Cerny. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Joyce’s name, https://www.stjude.org/giving. Friends may call THE FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 W. AURORA RD (RTE. 82), SAGAMORE HILLS, FOR VISITATION ON THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025, FROM 6-8 PM. All are asked to meet at St. Barnabas Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 am. A private family burial at All Saints Cemetery.

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