Obituary of Joyce M. Ashlaw

Mrs. Joyce Morris Ashlaw, of Gloversville N.Y., died Saturday March 19, 2011.She was born February 8, 1935 in Batchelerville, N.Y., daughter of the late Walter and Grace Edwards Morris Joyce was an accomplished pianist. She began piano as a young girl taught by Helen Russell. She graduated Northville Central School in 1952 and attained her Bachelor's degree in Music from Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam in 1956. She did graduate work with the Saratoga Potsdam Chorus Institute. Joyce participated in a concert tour of Europe in 1958 with the Crane Collegiate singers, under the direction of Brock McElheran. Beginning in 1970, she sang several summers with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Saratoga-Potsdam Chorus, sponsored by Crane School of Music, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She taught at a private girls school in Ardsley, N.Y. She also held music teaching positions at Stratford, Fort Plain and Wheelerville. She taught part time for several years at Northville Central School as the junior high music teacher and also accompanied the chorus there. She retired from that position in 1999. Joyce was an accompanist for FCMEA - the Fulton County Music Education Association. She was the pianist and music director for several musicals at the Colonial Little Theater in Johnstown, N.Y. At one time she was the musical director and pianist along with being an adjunct teacher at Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, N,.Y,. She was the organist and choir director at First Presbyterian Church in Broadalbin, N.Y. and the organist/choir director at Fonda Reformed Church at different times over the years. She was also a member of the Gloversville Ensemble Club, NYSUT and AAUW. Joyce taught private piano lessons in her home beginning in 1982. She had many students throughout the years and produced annual year end recitals. She served as accompanist to many of her music students when the competed at NYSSMA. She always enjoyed watching her students excel and giving them the recital platform to showcase their hard work and talents. Joyce, her husband Greg and godson James Green operated Twin City Aviation Services at the Fulco Airport in Johnstown. They offered flight instruction, scenic flights and airplane rentals. They were partners in this venture with Steve and Sandra Sheedy. Joyce will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her for her generous spirit, loving heart and quick wit. She is survived by a sister, Beulah Morris of Sarasota Florida, a brother, Walter Morris of Glenville, N.Y., several nieces, nephews and a goddaughter. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 45 years, Garfield "Greg" Ashlaw, godson James Green, a brother, Gordon Morris and sisters; Madlyn Parker and Evelyn Lais. Memorial visitation will take place on Thursday March 31, 2011 from 4-6 pm at Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville. Expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to the Brennan Memorial Humane Society, 437 Nine Mile Tree Road, Gloversville, N.Y. 12078