Joyce C. Balazs

Joyce Carson Balazs, age 88, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was predeceased in 2018 by her beloved husband of 57 years, Joseph B. Balazs. She was the loving mother of one daughter and two sons: Anne E. Gold (Alan) of Rye, NY; David J. Balazs (Anya) of Shaker Heights, OH; and James A. Balazs (Melissa) of Mayfield Village, OH. Joyce was the dear grandmother of Allie and Emily Gold, Andrew (Annette) Balazs, Katie (Bo) Wagner, and Elizabeth Balazs.

She was born in Erie, PA on October 4, 1936, one of seven children of William and Elizabeth Diehl Carson. She is survived by her siblings Donna Thomas and Charles Carson, and was predeceased by her brothers William, Robert and Thomas Carson, and her sister Mary D’Aurora. Joyce grew up in Erie and graduated from McDowell High School in 1954. She then moved to Cleveland, where she worked for three years before returning to school. She attended Western Reserve University and The Pennsylvania State University, where she was affiliated with Kappa Delta and Alpha Lambda Delta sororities.

After returning to Cleveland, Joyce worked with Republic Steel Corp. and married Joe in August 1960, following which they started their family residing first in Cleveland Heights and then settling in Shaker Heights where they remained for most of their lives. Joyce was devoted to her family; nothing brought her more joy and laughter than spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She also returned to work in business administration when James began middle school, providing services to several local businesses whose mission inspired her, including the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes and Western Reserve Historical Society.

Joyce and Joe enjoyed many fun-filled family vacations, especially on Sanibel Island, FL. After their children were grown, they traveled together extensively in Europe; always adventurers, they would rent a car, find a map and head out to explore, frequently only with a loose plan and no lodging reservations.

Joyce was an avid gardener. She was an active garden club member for most of her adult life and created beautiful gardens in her yard and floral arrangements in her house. She also enjoyed researching and collecting antique furniture and textiles, loving the hunt as much as creating a home full of beautiful and cherished pieces. She always will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, humorous, curious and fun-loving person, who adored her family and never tired of exploring the world. 

Joyce will be tremendously missed by her friends and family. A celebration of life will be held at Wade Chapel of Lake View Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119 or the Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106, would be gratefully appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on this webpage for Joyce’s family.