Maryellen Theresa Becker Joncyk

Maryellen Theresa Becker Joncyk, of Oxford, entered eternal life on Friday August 3, 2018 surrounded by the love and support of her life long partner, Marjorie Matusko Fitzgerald.  Maryellen struggled with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, sinus carcinoma, COPD, and ultimately succumbed to lung cancer; yet through it all she remained positive and brought joy and spirit to all who knew her.  Maryellen was born in Yonkers, Westchester county New York on October 10, 1934 and was adopted by the Becker family in 1938.  She married Rudy Joncyk on October 30, 1955 in East Meadow, Long Island and divorced on June 25, 1975.  She pursued her education at Southern CT State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education in 1977.  Maryellen earned a Masters of Arts degree in Corporate Communication from Fairfield University in 1988.  She worked for Pitney Bowes Oce Imagistics as a technical writer of internal communication until her retirement in 2014.  She was a mentor for the Bridgeport school system through her company.  She served on the Oxford Library Board for many years and belonged to the Naugatuck Valley Genealogy Club for 20 years.  She was proud to have designed their brochures for ten years and received an award for her excellent work.  After retirement, she attended "Olli" Osher Life Long Learning at UCONN Waterbury Campus to perfect her writing skills. She especially loved her writing classes.  She published her essays and poetry in Voices and Visions.  Maryellen loved travelling and enjoyed the beaches and bike trails of Cape Cod, kayaking on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire, and wood carving.  Maryellen is survived by her beloved partner of 44 years, Marjorie Matusko Fitzgerald; her children, Craig Joncyk and his wife Robin of Spring TX, and Erica Joncyk and her partner Joseph Brien of Cornwall, CT; grandchildren, Andrea Palmer of Austin TX, Nina Palmer of Beijing, China, Rebecca Palmer of Viroqua Wisconsin, Olivia Palmer of Austin TX, Kyle Joncyk and his wife Nicole of Spring TX, and Sharon Joncyk Stone and her husband Richard of Tomball, TX. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Thomas Fitzgerald and his wife Sherry of Clarksville, TN, Shawn Fitzgerald and his wife Cheri of Kent OH, Kelly Kolehmainen  and her partner Thomas Pugliese of Lake Helen, FL, and Shannon Fitzgerald of Prospect, CT.  She is also survived by 3 great granddaughters and 1 great grandson, Evan and Wimberli Joncyk of Spring TX and Liberty and Kalani Stone of Tomball TX; step grandchildren, Brendan and Sierra Fitzgerald of CT, Kyle Humphreys and his wife, Tiffany, of Nashville, TN, and Carter and Chase Kolehmainen of Lake Helen, FL.  In addition to her parents, Henry and Theresa Becker, Maryellen was predeceased by her brothers Harold and Kenneth Becker. A Celebration of Maryellen's life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to the Oxford Library, Great Oak Rd. Oxford CT.  The Anthony V. Chepulis Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. To leave and on line condolence please visit www.chepulisfuneralhome.com