Helen "Hirko" Joyce

Helen “Hirko” Joyce, 91, of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at home surrounded by her family.

Born on January 23, 1935, in Palmertown, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of George J. and Helen (Urban) Hirko. A proud graduate of Blairsville High School, Class of 1952, Helen dedicated 29 years of her career as a secretary and business manager for the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District before retiring. In 1956, she married David L. Joyce, and together they shared 52 years of marriage and founded Joyce Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. in the early 1960s.

Helen was a lifelong, active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Coral, where she served on the Pastoral Council and Finance Committee, ministered as a Eucharistic Minister, led the Confraternity of Christian Mothers as president and treasurer, and sang in the church choir. Her deep faith and quiet strength touched everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her children, David L. Joyce, Jr. (Marlene) of Blairsville, John J. Joyce (Kimberly) of Blairsville, and Annette M. Weed (Charles Lee) of Friendswood, Texas; her grandchildren, Kristen Ianni (Jeff), Alissa McNulty (Doug), Leann Roacha (Max), and Leslie Bell (Roland); four great-grandchildren; her special friend, Barbara Detwiler; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, David L. Joyce, on July 25, 2009; her daughter, Dorothy Joyce, in 1964; her parents; all of her brothers and sisters; and three infant sisters.