Joyce E. Simpkins

(nee Mangle) Joyce passed away peacefully on December 21, 2021, at the age of 91, of Cherry Hill, NJ, formerly of Haddon Township, NJ.  Beloved wife of the late C Russell Simpkins Jr.  Loving mother of Russell Simpkins (Gunda) of Westampton, Cheryl Garcia (Jose) of Audubon, NJ, Laurie Kruithof (Jim) of West Deptford.  Dear sister of Clark Mangle (Dolly) of Manahawkin and Ronald Mangle (Marge) of Avon Park, Florida.  Proud grandmother of Michael, Chris and Cara Garcia, Devin and Ashley Simpkins, and Justin (Erica), Alyssa and Ian Kruithof. Great grandmother of Emerson. Also survived by many nieces & nephews.

Born in Newark, NJ to Raymond and Leda Mangle, her parents moved several times before settling in Collingswood. A proud graduate of Collingswood High School, class of 1949, she made lifelong friends through choir and the Signafers club. Her high school yearbook states that her goals were to be a mortician and to be happily married. She met her future husband, Russ, through a mutual friend. Married on November 1 ^st ,1952 at the First United Methodist Church of Collingswood where she was a member, they were married for thirty-four years before he passed away in 1986.

Back then, it was not suitable for a woman to be a mortician, so she pursued a degree and career in nursing. A proud member and graduate of the Thomas Jefferson University Diploma School of Nursing, class of 1952, she worked there in the Newborn Nursery on the 3-11 pm shift until 1993 when she retired.  She and Russ settled in Haddon Township where they would raise their three children. She lived there for sixty-one years before moving to an Assisted Living Facility in Cherry Hill in 2018.

Known as Nanny to her eight grandchildren and one Great grandchild, she had a special relationship with each one of them. Nothing made her prouder than watching them grow up into the adults that they have each become. Spending time with them at her shore house in Manahawkin brought great joy to her.  She laughed the hardest when with them and loved them beyond measure.

In addition to her family, she loved playing the organ, collecting thimbles, and researching family genealogy.  She was a member of the Perry Historians, the Jefferson University Hospital Alumni Association, and a charter member of the World War II Memorial.  Her passion and dedication in genealogy resulted in the tracing of seven family lines, some dating back to the 1600s. Countless hours of time and love went into her research and what a treasured gift she has left her family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Visitation Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 10 to 11 AM at JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, 308 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township, NJ. Funeral service will begin at 11 AM. Interment Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson, NJ.

(The family requests that everyone please wear a mask)

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements by Jackson Funeral Home, Haddon Township, NJ.  To share condolences please visit www.jacksonfh.net