Joyce M. Gelson, Lancaster, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 with family. She was 78 years old.

Born in Queens, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Howard D. Klumpp and Ida M. Bulger Klumpp.

Her life and joy was her husband, the late John F. Gelson, former President of Hamilton Watch Company, and their seven children. Joyce spent most of her childhood, and later summers with her children in Sea Girt, NJ.  She and her husband raised their family in South Orange, New Jersey, until moving to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.   In 1980, they adopted their seventh child, Jeamy, from Guatemala. Jeamy would become her constant companion and the sparkle of her life until her passing in 1991.

Joyce's gift was her extensive knowledge of the world and its people through her travel, life experiences, and avid love of reading. Her words of love and guidance are forever captured in the hundreds of letters she wrote to her children and grandchildren.  "Nanny" as she would later be known, had strong opinions, especially when it came to issues of social justice. As she would often say, "And that is that."

She adored animals, especially her late pugs, Ollie Peg and Angel Rose, and was a relentless advocate for animal rights.

Much of Joyce's later life was also shared with her best friend Mabel Seventko – on trips to Lancaster County, Sunday church services together, cruises to Bermuda, and staying one-step ahead of the watchful eyes of their children.

Joyce was a loyal fan of her husband's alma mater – Notre Dame – attending reunions with him, and in later years, watching Notre Dame football games with her children and grandchildren.

Her strength and courage during her illness was a perfect archetype of the person she was. When asked how she was feeling she would simply say, "I'm fine – how about you?" She joined all her children and grandchildren in October for her granddaughter's wedding – with a beauty and dignity that captured her full essence.

Joyce enjoyed traveling with her family, sharing holidays and special moments with them, and simply hearing their voices in daily phone calls.

Her death leaves her family with a heartache no one can heal, but her love leaves a memory no one can steal.

She is survived by three sons, John F. Jr., Pt. Pleasant Beach, N.J., James N., Cranford, N.J., and Thomas M., husband of Christina, Marion, Mass.; three daughters, Elizabeth M., wife of Dr. Dan Dragalin, Mendham, N.J., Pamela J., Piedmont, Ca., and Linda M., Westfield, N.J. She was predeceased by her cherished daughter, Jeamy, and elder sister, Linda Coffey

Joyce is also survived by seventeen grandchildren, Matthew C., Mathew P., Megan, Shannon, Sean, Grace, Bryn, Brendan, Conor, Cate, Ray, Tucker, Emma, Piper, Gabriella, Griffin, and Bude – and one great-grandson, Jack.  To them, her greatest role in life was as their beloved "Nanny", who never missed a birthday or a chance to say, "I love you". To each of them, she was their closest confidant, devoted advisor, and favorite brownie-maker.  She had an open-heart, open-door policy towards her family, and was a woman who led by an example of pure selflessness and unceasing kindness and warmth.  She is fondly remembered for her quick wit, lively storytelling, and amazing ability to turn any sentence into a song. Nanny was a woman who never took herself too seriously, always looked for the beauty and blessings of life, and taught others to do the same.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service and a time for sharing memories celebrating her wonderful life which will be held at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA on Saturday, December 1, 2012, commencing at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place following the celebration at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster followed by repasse luncheon at The Hamilton Club.

In keeping with our beautiful Mother's wishes, in lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity that was so dear to her heart for bringing her precious daughter, Jeamy, into her life:  "Friends of Guatemalan Children."  All donations will go directly to supporting a much needed school/medical clinic to help the orphans of Casa Guatemala.   Please send all tax-deductible contributions to:  Friends of Guatemalan Children, Inc.  c/o Mila Stamboliyska  3607 Helms Ave.  Culver City, California  90232. http://www.casa-guatemala.org/donate.php

Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel are in charge of arrangements. To send online condolences please visit: www.snyderfuneralhome.com