Joyce Potter Shawaker

Joyce Potter Shawaker, age 85, died on May 6, 2023 in Toledo, OH. Joyce was born to Robert and Virginia Potter in Toledo on November 18, 1937. She was a graduate of Libbey High School in 1955, the University of Toledo in 1959 with a Bachelor in Education, and the University of Toledo in 1963 with a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. When Joyce was an undergraduate she met Stephen B. Shawaker, a University of Toledo MBA student and they were married June 27,1959. Joyce & Steve shared a love of dancing, gardening, travel, time at their family cottage on Clark Lake in Michigan and spending time with their 3 sons Scott, Peter and Andrew and their spouses and nine grandchildren. Steve and Joyce visited most US States, Canada and many European countries.

After teaching junior high English and History at Old Orchard Toledo Public School 1959-63 she worked as a part time English Instructor at the Community and Technical College, University of Toledo 1965-66 and 1969. From 1977-97 she worked for the University of Toledo: 1977-86 as Assistant Director of Placement Services attracting employers to recruit on campus and helping graduates in Education, Pharmacy and Sciences find full time employment and from 1986-97 she was Law Placement Director for the College of Law and helped Law graduates in the same way. Throughout her career, Joyce was committed to educating and guiding young people.

At Libbey High School she was a four year member of the National Honor Society and Y-Teens. Her senior year she was elected Toledo Area Y-Teen Queen by her high school peers. At the University of Toledo, she was an active member of Tri Delta Sorority, where she was pledge class president and made many lifelong friends, as well as Phi Alpha Theta (History honor society) and Pi Gamma Mu (Social Science honor society).

Post college Joyce was a 35 year member of the Junior League of Toledo and very active in revitalizing the Downtown Toledo waterfront through the organization and early launch years of Promenade Park. She was engaged as a member and supporter of Epworth United Methodist Church (64 years), PEO, Friends Book Club, Toledo Club, Inverness Club, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Botanical Garden, the Toledo Metro Parks and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

When her sons were at home she was an active member of the Old Orchard Elementary PTO and St Francis DeSales High School Mothers Club and supported her sons athletic and school activities. That involvement transitioned to attending and supporting her nine grandchildrens’ athletic and school activities.

In her free time she also enjoyed piano & vocal music, painting and was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction books, often reading 3-4 books a week in retirement years. Joyce and Steve appreciated walks and picnics in all of the Toledo Metro Parks and especially Toledo Botanical Garden/Crosby Gardens.

Joyce will be remembered for her intelligence, integrity, work ethic and generous, loving spirit. She is pre-deceased by her husband and parents and survived by and forever loved by her sons, Scott (Rhonda), Peter (Elizabeth) and Andrew (Samantha); nine grandchildren (in birth order) Caitlin, Connor, PJ, Lauren, Tom, Sarah, Mary, Emily and John; brother David Potter and sister Janet Widner (Wayne); and twelve nieces and nephews.

The Celebration of Life Visitation will be Thursday, May 11 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623 (419-841-2422) The funeral service will be Friday, May 12 at 10:00 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 4855 W. Central Ave, Toledo, OH. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to the Girl Scouts of America – Toledo Area Councils and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo.