Joyce E. Shields: Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother
Joyce E. Shields, 90, of Bolivar, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Wellsville Manor Care Center, after a short illness.
Born on September 12, 1935, in Andover, she was a daughter of Ronald A. and Bertha (Brown) Stephens. On July 12, 1952, in Allentown, she married Richard E. Shields who predeceased her on August 13, 2017.
Joyce was a graduate of Allentown Union School in 1953.
She had worked for ACME Electric in Cuba, the Valley Manor Rest Home in Allentown, Bowl-O-Var Lanes in Bolivar, and last in the Dietary Department at Olean General Hospital from where she retired.
Joyce was a longtime member of the Allentown Methodist Church. She was an avid bowler and bowled for 35 years at Bowl-O-Var Lanes, loved to play Bingo, and was a member and past president of the 4C’s Senior Citizen Club. Joyce always enjoyed transporting her peers to their various appointments and spending time with her family when they would gather together.
She is survived by her children David (Stacy) Shields of Alma, Bradley (Vicki) Shields of Scio, Jeffrey (Sara) Shields of Lyons, New York, and Janna (Dennis) Smith of Wolcott; 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren; a sister Judy Stephens of Penfield; two brothers-in-law Bill Pacetti of St. Augustine, Florida and Robert Shields of Alma; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a grandson Curtis Shields, a great granddaughter Raegyn Shields her brothers Eldon (Lois) Stephens and Walter Stephens; two sisters Norma (Phil) Taylor and Linda Pacetti.
The family will receive friends at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 554 S. Main Street, Bolivar, on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. until Noon. Funeral Services will begin at Noon in the Funeral Home with Pastor Jennifer Grimes officiating. Following the service there will be a luncheon at the Allentown Methodist Church, 5815 Main Street, Allentown, New York 14707.
Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar, New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joyce’s memory may be made to the Allentown Methodist Church.
