Joyce S. Cazier

WAMEGO- Joyce Sigrid Cazier, 79, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at home in Mission, Kansas. Joyce was born on April 3, 1932, in Wamego, Kansas, to Dr. L.W. and Mrs. Leonore (Peterson) Cazier. She often recalled fond memories of her childhood in Wamego, surrounded with wonderful lifelong friends. She was involved in a variety of activities and graduated from Wamego High School in 1950. She then attended and graduated from Kansas University with a degree in Secondary Education in 1954. During her time at KU she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Joyce married Donald Ainsworth Ellis on July 12, 1954 in Norfolk, Virginia, where Don served as a navy officer. In 1956 they returned to Kansas City, Kansas, where they resided for 20 years. Joyce taught in the Norfolk, Virginia and Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, as well as in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas teaching English, fifth grade, and elementary music, as well as substituting. She also was the owner of a shop called Jabberwock Gallery, in the Fairway Shops. She was a member of the Junior League of Kansas City, Kansas, Alpha Delta Pi Mothers’ Club, Federated Music Teachers of Greater Kansas City, Village Singles, and PEO, among other organizations. She was a member of Village Presbyterian Church. After her divorce in 1989, Joyce lived in Fairway, Roland Park, and Topeka from approximately 1989-2002. She enjoyed the proximity to her sister and brother, Judy (Cazier) Peddicord and Jim Cazier -- as well as her niece, Lana (Peddicord) Northup -- during the Topeka years. She was active with many bridge clubs, her Wamego friends, PEO, and of course her piano studio. She returned to the area in 2002 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Joyce’s calling was as a piano teacher, as she worked with hundreds of students over a 30-year time span. She also maintained her relationships with Kansas City friends through bridge and canasta clubs, as well as enjoyed entertaining in many aspects. She also relished home improvements and gardening. Her gifts were many, but in particular she loved music and playing the piano. All her children were raised with appreciation for music repertoire and performance. Joyce is survived by a son, Mark Ellis of Kansas City, MO; two daughters—Ingrid Ellis of St. John, USVI, and Natalie (Ellis) Morris, of Olathe, KS; and two grandchildren, Katie Morris of Lawrence, KS and Drew Morris, of Olathe. Last but not least, she is survived by Fred, the cat, of Kansas City, MO. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2012 at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, KS. Graveside services will follow at Wamego City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to Odyssey VistaCare Hospice Foundation, 717 N. Harwood, Suite 1500, Dallas, TX 75201 or at http://www.ovhf.org/.