Joyce S. Wszalek
Joyce S. Wszalek
Joyce Steed Wszalek, 86, a beloved teacher, wife, mother-in-law, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at her residence in Harrisonburg. She was born on September 5, 1939, in Winchester to the late Alden Harvey and Eula Elizabeth Hoskins Steed. Joyce was the only child of a Front Royal railway worker and a teacher who operated one of the last one-room schoolhouses in the Shenandoah Valley. Joyce lived a life marked by kindness and a deep appreciation for literature, learning, and the arts. She attended the University of Richmond, where she double majored in English and Mathematics. She later earned her master’s degree in English from Harvard University. She began her teaching career at Madison College, now James Madison University, where she met her future husband, Steve, a former student studying to become a math teacher. Together they built a life in Harrisonburg filled with music, gardening, annual trips to the beach, and beloved Scottie dogs. While guiding generations of students, Joyce and Steve also raised two sons. She will be remembered for always encouraging those around her to do their best and to pursue their passions. Joyce had a rare ability to say exactly the right thing at exactly the right moment - always honest, always thoughtful, and always kind. Joyce is survived by her husband, Henry Steve Wszalek, Jr., with whom she shared a lifetime of partnership, devotion, and steady companionship. Together they raised two sons, Christopher and Jonathan, who both carry forward her sharp mind and wit. She welcomed their wives, Rebecca and Jessica, with warmth and sincerity, embracing them fully as family. She was also a proud and loving grandmother to Susan and Juliana, who will forever cherish her love and gentle spirit. A memorial service is planned for 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Staunton. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (P.O. Box 937, Verona, VA 24482), or that acts of service, such as volunteering with a local hospice organization, be done in her memory.
