(nee McHenry), age 94, former wife of the late Francis; loving mother of Maureen Thornton, Michael (Kate), Kevin (Noel), Colleen Conroy (Bob), and Jim (Peggy); grandmother of Kate Westerfield (Dave), Anne Thornton, Alison, Dan and Sean Joyce, Alex (Kristen), Ian, Patrick and Lizzie Joyce, Christen Conroy, Rob Conroy (Kelli), and Kevin Conroy, Meghan McCarty (Jeremy) and Michael Joyce; great-grandmother of Jack and Grant Westerfield, Ava and Alaina Joyce and Elizabeth McCarty; beloved sister of the late Edward and William McHenry; dear sister-in-law of Helen Rita Joyce; aunt and great-aunt of many. A private funeral was held for the family with burial at Lakewood Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Cypress Hospice, 2 Berea Commons - #1, Berea, OH 44017 or Malachi House, 2810 Clinton Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113. Alberta was a charter member of the greatest generation, Alberta learned about faith, courage, perseverance, and the value of hard work from her parents, who having lost so much in the Great Depression, worked tirelessly to provide for their three children, while still managing to leave a plate for the jobless and nameless men who found the way to their back porch. As this beautiful prom queen sat with her friends in the theatre celebrating her sixteenth birthday, an officer appeared on stage and instructed all soldiers to report to their headquarters; World War II had begun. Not one to cower in the face of danger, Alberta responded by joining the Army to train as a nurse. She excelled in her field, becoming Directress of Student Nursing at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. After the war, Alberta and her husband, recognizing the possibilities set before them, gave themselves to the building of a family business, Joyce Buick, GMC., still thriving today under the leadership of her sons. All the while, raising her brood of five to respect and honor the qualities she learned from her own parents and equipping each with the education, discipline, and faith to find their own American dream. For decade after decade, Alberta cherished and was cherished by a circle of friends that golfed, gardened, giggled, and played bridge together. A civic minded woman, she served on many boards, including the Fairview Hospital Women's Board and the Bay Village Nature Center. She was actively interested in politics, and was, no doubt, a frequent flyer in the Congressional mailroom. As a lifetime learner, she enrolled in at least one continuing education course every year well into her eighth decade, and traveled extensively through Europe and Asia with her daughters and grandchildren. Alberta adored the arts and regularly attended performances by The Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Ballet, and The Cleveland Playhouse, as well as volunteering at The Cleveland Art Museum. In all these things, she was gracious, pleasant, and honorable. Arrangements by CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of NORTH OLMSTED (216) 251-6566. www.chambersfuneral.com

Published in The Plain Dealer from Oct. 12 to Oct. 18, 2020.