Joyce Dalrymple Essex Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joyce Dalrymple Essex of Stevensville, Maryland was a caring wife, stepmother, grandmother (“Mum Mum”), great grandmother, and friend. She passed away peacefully on June 17, 2022, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton after many years of battling Parkinson’s Disease. She was 75 years old when she went to be with our Heavenly Father. Born on January 5, 1947, in Jersey City, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Henry and Dagny Dalrymple. Joyce was raised in the waterfront community of Bay Ridge in Annapolis, Maryland. She spent her childhood summers visiting her family's cottage in Vergennes, Vermont. The cottage was located on Otter Creek off of Lake Champlain. She loved spending time on the water boating, skiing, crabbing, and fishing as a child. In her adult years, she cherished her home on the Chester River watching the wildlife and sunrises with her beloved husband. After graduating from Annapolis High School, she went on to complete her college education at Fairleigh Dickinson University majoring in Dental Hygiene and subsequently passed her National Board of Dental Hygiene Exam in 1967 following graduation. She worked for over 42 years in Annapolis, Maryland as a Dental Hygienist for Dr. Earl Chambers, II, and Dr. John Ritter. Joyce belonged to the American Dental Hygienists Association throughout her career. She treasured the patients she cared for over the years. Joyce had many interests including doing Holly Hobby doll crafts as gifts and building her own doll house with all the essential details including electricity. She enjoyed reading Joyce Myers books and religious devotionals. Doing puzzles became a favorite pastime in recent years. Her favorite things to collect were cardinals of all types and fashion. One of her favorite sayings was "Cardinals Appear When Angels Are Near." Her precious dogs over the years were her babies, including current pups Itsy Bitsy and Angel. She was happiest when she was surrounded by her family, neighbors, and friends who she considered family. In her last two years, she spent most days being cared for by her much-loved in-home caregiver who was a true blessing to Joyce and her husband. Joyce is survived by her husband of 46 years Kenneth H. Essex; stepdaughter, Sharon (Mark) Stevens; two grandchildren, Jessica (Barrett Sr.) Stevens Duke, and Brian (Alyssa) Stevens. She is also survived by her five great-grandchildren, Barrett Jr., Brendan, Skylar, Everlee, and Aubree. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her loving sister, Joan Rafter. A service will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home at 106 Shamrock Rd. Chester, MD 21619 on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at noon. Visitation will be held before the service from 10 am to noon.

Joyce Dalrymple Essex

January 5, 1947 - June 17, 2022