Our beloved mother, community leader, and former teacher, Joyce G Combs Weinheimer, age 96, died in Jacksonville FL on February 25, 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Altemose, of Jacksonville FL, her son, Edward Weinheimer, Jr., of Monroe Township, NJ, 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Edward Weinheimer, sr., her daughter Linda Klein Weinheimer, her son, Ward Weinheimer, and her grandson, Jay Klein.

Joyce was born in Raritan Township, NJ and spent most of her life in South River, NJ and Naples, Fort Myers, and Estero, Florida. She moved to Jacksonville 4 years ago so her daughter Joan could be her primary care giver. While living in South River, Joyce was active in women’s club, participating in plays, winning a best supporting actress in the 1970 Drama Festival, and co-chairing and/or organizing various charitable events. She was instrumental in forming the Central Jersey Association for the Deaf and Hearing Handicapped, serving as its first president and was quite active in developing a statewide plan in NJ to help the deaf. She was a major contributor working alongside elected officials to draft legislation about school boards educating handicapped children.

Joyce enjoyed playing cards, especially hand and foot. For many years, she belonged to a small bridge club in NJ. She was fun loving, enjoyed climbing trees, even as an adult…a skill she learned from her 2 older brothers Paul Combs and George Combs. Her younger sister, Joan Grace, was always one of her best friends, despite often living across the country from each other. Although she kept adding to her circle of friends, she met her best friend, Mimi, in elementary school and they continued to keep in touch until her death. Known as a fabulous hostess and cook, she loved to entertain, often taking the time to decorate food worthy of a magazine cover shoot.

Joyce believed that service is the price we pay to occupy our space on earth. She had volunteered in every town or community she lived in and was often introduced as “the past president of something” or “the person who began and organized…” After falling in love with the “love of my life”, Joyce quit college after her freshman year to get married. She then returned to Douglas College of Rutgers University in 1970 to earn her degree and teaching certificate. She earned recognition as a cherished high school home economics teacher who specialized in child development and cooking, teaching at Hightstown High School in NJ for over 20 years. For every cooking class she taught, Joyce made sure that they each had their own Thanksgiving dinner at school, knowing that many of her students would not have the traditional meal at their homes.

After retiring and moving to FL, she established women’s clubs in the communities she moved to…leaving behind a legacy of service. Family was very important to Joyce who loved all her 4 children, each of whom she considered special and different. She felt that God gives us children to love and nurture and help when needed. Joyce put her children first, often neglecting her own needs, believing that this is what God wanted her to do.

Joyce said her earliest memory was being put on a shelf in the closet when her family moved to Riva Ave because she was getting in the way. That was the last time she was cast aside. Although small in stature, she was a force to be reckoned with if she felt that injustice was done.

After her husband died in 2007, Joyce worked at Costco in Estero, FL giving food demonstrations. She loved getting to meet people and some of her co-workers become close friends. Joyce only quit working at age 89 when she moved into an independent living facility. She continued to exhibit her sense of wonder and curiosity, often stopping to look outside or watch what people were doing, despite the fact that the person walking with her was a therapist helping her walk.

Joyce encountered many people who she helped and/or touched during the years. We encourage you to share a special memory of Joyce in the comment section below.