Joyce K. Hornbecker

Southbury- Joyce K. Hornbecker, 96, of Southbury died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

 Joyce was born in Waterbury on June 11, 1927 to Harry and Erminie Hassett Kilbourn. After high school, Joyce worked at Southern New England Telephone Company in the Customer Service Department. One day her manager pleaded with her to conduct a tour that evening for a group of young people. That is how she met Howard Hornbecker. They married in 1951 and moved to Southbury where they turned what was an icehouse on Lake Zoar into their home and created the Lakeside Marina.

 She graduated with AS in Business Management from Post College in Waterbury and earned several municipal certifications from the University of Connecticut and Salve Regina University.

 Joyce contributed to the town and people of Southbury in an amazing number of ways. If she saw a need she actively pursued a resolution. While serving as Town Clerk in Southbury for 33 years, raising 3 children and co-managing a business, she was a member of Tribury Rotary, Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, Bent of River Audobon Center, an EMT for the Southbury Ambulance Association, and organizer of the Lake Zoar Authority. Over the years, she was also a volunteer at Waterbury Hospital, actively involved in the South Britain Congregational Church, and Girl and Boy Scout Leader.

 Her interest in history led her to serve as Southbury Co Historian. She wrote “Southbury Tidbits of History” distributed throughout town, gave history talks and narrated bus tours for

 many town groups and long-term care facilities. She found records in the Town Hall archives that brought to light Southbury’s effort to “Say No to the Nazi’s” which resulted in a documentary of this historic event.

 Joyce was very proud of leading an effort to send “care” packages to soldiers in Iraq, etc. She worked with town groups to raise funds and involve others. She valued every response she received from the recipients and corresponded with several until they returned to civilian life.

Joyce is survived by her children: Shirley Hagyard and husband Jeff of Chatham Ma, Carl Hornbecker and wife Francine of Southbury and Laurie Hornbecker of Watertown.

 Grandchildren: Lisa Mariano (Robert Falbo) of Beacon Falls, Thomas Mariano (Nicole) of Goshen, Kate Hornbecker (Christopher Cooper) of Southbury, Brian Hornbecker (Sarah Quirk)

 of Southbury, Stacey Henderson (Michael) of Charlotte NC., Stephanie Hagyard (Craig Barcelo) of Salem, MA. and Elizabeth Hagyard of Arlington MA. Great Grandhild: Robert

 Falbo of Beacon Falls. Sister in law: Lynne Kilbourn of Southbury. Nieces: KrisEllen Wimley (William), Donna Sears (Ross), Janice Frisbie (Clarence Winston), and Robin Lerz (Art). She was predeceased by her husband Howard Hornbecker and brother Clyde Kilbourn.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at South Britain Congregational Church, 693 S. Britain Rd, Southbury, CT 06488 on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to South Britain Congregational Church, (southbritainchurch.org). To leave an online condolence, please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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