Joyce Wuesthoff Povolny

Povolny—Joyce Wuesthoff Povolny, 89, on March 27, 2019, peacefully at Century Oaks Assisted Living in Appleton, Wis., in the loving company of her sons, David and Daniel, and Daniel’s wife, Kathleen.

Joyce was born on December 23, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wis., to Bernadine (“Bunny”) and Herbert Curt Wuesthoff. As a child she attended the University School of Milwaukee and later received a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College for Women (today Connecticut College) in New London, Conn. She went on to earn a master’s in social work from Haverford College in Haverford, Pa., which she referred to as one of the happiest years of her life.

After receiving her master’s, Joyce remained in Philadelphia and worked for American Friends Service Committee. While there, she met Mojmir Povolny. They were married on July 15, 1956, in Milwaukee, and enjoyed 56 years together until Mojmir’s death in 2012.

The Povolnys spent an adventuresome first year of marriage doing post-war reconstruction work in Tokyo, Japan. Upon their return, they lived in Chicago, Ill., briefly, then settled in Appleton, Wis., where Mojmir taught political science for 29 years at Lawrence University. During the course of their marriage they traveled often, and enjoyed four sabbatical years overseas, two in London and two in Paris, which Joyce considered her favorite city. Joyce and Mojmir loved to cook and entertain and were known for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration, which often numbered over 100 guests.

Joyce remained active throughout her life as a volunteer for several charitable organizations and as a political activist, once serving as president of the League of Women Voters. A member of Evanston (Ill.) Meeting, Joyce intermittently hosted weekly meetings at her home for more than 40 years. An avid reader and writer, she published four collections of poetry and continued to write during the last weeks of her life.

Joyce is survived by two children, David Povolny (Susan) and Daniel Povolny (Kathleen); ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, William Wuesthoff (Carol) and Herbert Wuesthoff; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mojmir Povolny; a sister, Marcia Wuesthoff; a brother-in-law, Borivoj Povolny, and his wife, Olga; a sister-in-law, Mary Wuesthoff; and a grandchild, Jacob.

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