PHOENIX, AZ – Joyce Mary (Varsanik) Grohs passed away peacefully in her home on October 23, 2026. She was the daughter of the late George and Mary Varsanik of Seymour. Before moving to Phoenix later in life, she lived and raised her family in Seymour and Oxford for many years.
Joyce loved her cats. Everyone’s cats. All cats. She spent the last several decades taking in cats left behind and strays from the neighborhood and feeding and caring for them in her home. They were funny, friendly, loving, and filled her heart with endless joy for years. Every one of her cats that traveled across the Rainbow Bridge was memorialized in photos and keepsakes that she displayed as a daily reminder of her love for her four-legged friends.
Joyce is survived by her son Wayne (Maria) Grohs of Guilford, and her daughter Sandi (Douglas) Wilson of Goodyear, Arizona, and four wonderful grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her brothers Fred (Carol) Varsanik of LaPorte, Indiana, and Paul (JoAnn) Varsanik of Derby, her sister Laura (Richard) Murphy of Cataumet, Massachusetts, and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her sister Beverly Hyde of Florida.
The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Hospice of the West of Phoenix, Arizona, for their support and kind words over the last few weeks.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sun Cities 4 Paws Cat Rescue, 10807 N. 96th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345.