Joyce Helen Statler

Joyce Helen Statler (nee Cloke) passed away on Tuesday March 3rd, 2020 after a brief illness. Born June 22, 1946 in Schenectady, NY to George and Helen (Cipperly) Cloke, Joyce spent the last 12 years at Sun City Carolina Lakes in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Joyce would often speak of wonderful childhood memories of many summers spent at the Cipperly family farms in Hoosick Falls, New York. As Joyce's mother was one of 15 siblings, Joyce and her older brother Edward Cloke spent their childhood surrounded by a large contingent of cousins, many of whom she remained close until her death. Upon graduating near the top of her class from Linton High School in Schenectady in 1964, she completed courses with Mildred Elley Secretarial School in Albany, NY. She then began a long and fulfilling career as an Administrative Assistant at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) in Niskayuna NY, a research and development facility dedicated to the support of the US Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program, which at the time was operated by General Electric. Joyce thrived in a demanding, detail oriented environment and earned her 25 year award before retiring. Some of her longest lasting and most enduring friendships were from her years at KAPL.


By far, her most important friendship she made at KAPL was with a handsome engineer by the name of Ken Statler, the love of her life, with whom she celebrated her 53rd wedding anniversary just days before her passing. Joyce and Ken commuted together to and from work, as he too was a lifelong employee of KAPL. Joyce and Ken were married February 25, 1967 at the Christ Episcopal Church in Schenectady NY. She and Ken purchased their first home on Sunny Lane in Ballston Spa, NY in 1968. In 1970, they welcomed their first child, Scott, followed by Julie in 1971. Shortly after their daughter Sarah's birth in 1977, the family of 5 had a larger home built in Jonesville, NY. Joyce and Ken remained there until relocating to Fort Mill, SC in 2008.


In 2004, at age 58, Joyce suffered a near fatal brain aneurysm that required an extensive and risky surgical procedure to save her life. Typical of her fighting spirit, grit, and determination, Joyce embarked on an intense effort to recover from the significant damage inflicted upon her by her injury. She retired from KAPL shortly after her injury, but within a short time, she was able to resume a number of the activities she had previously enjoyed.


Aside from Joyce's family, singing and music was her greatest lifelong passion. She had a beautiful voice, and a tune was never far from her lips. Starting in 1977, and lasting for 27 years, Joyce was an integral member of the River Valley (NY) Chapter of Sweet Adelines, a worldwide organization of women singers specializing in barbershop harmony. She was extremely active in her chapter, participating and directing the chorus in countless performances and competitions throughout the country. She loved every minute of it, and because of her ebullient personality, Joyce also made many lifelong friends from her membership in Sweet Adelines. Upon relocating to South Carolina, she was delighted to join the Carolina Lakes Choral Society, and be a part of the Carolina Belles. Many of her most favorite times over the last decade included the performances and events of her singing groups, and once again she made many new friends at Sun City.



Joyce treasured her children and grandchildren, loving them unconditionally, and forever grateful for their presence in her life. She loved Christmas, as it gave her the opportunity to send numerous "care packages" throughout December each year, stuffed with holiday themed trinkets for the grandchildren. In her later years, she spent hours handcrafting funny homemade greeting cards for her family that arrived periodically throughout the year, always with a kind message of how much they were loved by her. For Joyce, anyone could be a part of her family, and anyone was a friend; her capacity to love others was boundless. She experienced health setbacks in late 2018, and although it seemed a doubtful proposition at the time, she set her mind to join her family on a vacation to Myrtle Beach in the summer of 2019. Once again, when faced by challenges, and seemingly insurmountable odds, she summoned her strength, and joyfully attended what would be her final trip with all of her children, grandchildren, brother, niece and nephew in one place at one time, a total group of 21 people. With a permanent smile on her face, and her ever present laugh and hum, Joyce relished every moment she could, delighted to be surrounded by those she most cherished.



Joyce had a gregarious personality, warm and engaging with anyone she encountered, treating any stranger she met as a lifelong friend, with a hearty laugh, infectious smile, and a witty one-liner or two.


Joyce joins her parents, along with her brother's wife Mary Cloke in heaven. She leaves behind her "hubby" Ken, son Scott (Lisa) Statler of Yorktown Heights, NY, and their daughters Julianne, Kristina, Emily and Alissa, daughter Julie (Salvatore) Saso and their children Rose, Grace and Christian of San Jose, CA, and daughter Sarah Valente and her daughters Corinne and Brianna of Phoenix, AZ. Her brother Edward Cloke of Catskill, NY, along with his children Laura Cloke Grouard of Saratoga Springs, NY and Preston Cloke of Bel Air MD also survive her. She also leaves behind nieces, nephew and numerous cousins, and many, many dear friends.



A Memorial Service for Joyce will be held on Saturday March 14, 2020 at 4:00 pm at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 238 Fort Mill Highway, Fort Mill, SC 29707, officiated by Pastor Joel McMakin. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Joyce's memory by donating to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Building Fund.

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