Obituary of Joyce Carol Farkas

Joyce Carol Farkas (nee Thoreson)  1937 - 2024

Joyce Carol Farkas, 86, of Exton, PA, passed away at home in Exton, PA, on Saturday, June 15, 2024 after a valiant battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (“ALS”), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Joyce was born on July 26, 1937 to Dorothy & Edward Thoreson in Boonton, NJ, where she grew up with her siblings Peggy and Jim. After High School, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and went on to work in the fashion industry designing fabric colors and patterns in New York City. 

She met and married Paul Farkas, and they had three sons: Bill, Jeff, and Dave.  After Paul’s service in the Air Force, stationed in New Hampshire, the family moved to Pequannock, NJ where Paul established a dental practice.  Joyce ran the dental office while raising her three sons.  Joyce enjoyed camping with the family and enjoyed the many vacations the family took.  One of their trips was to Myrtle Beach, SC where Joyce and Paul purchased a condo for family vacations.  Joyce and Paul moved there after retiring.  Joyce enjoyed living in Myrtle Beach for many years and moved to Meridian at Eagleview in Exton, PA 6 years ago to be closer to family residing in PA and NJ. 

Joyce had a love of flowers, birds and butterflies, but especially dragon flies and acquired many pins and collectibles.  She will be remembered for always having a joke to tell.  She cared deeply for all animals, adopting several shelter dogs after raising many schnauzers.  She was skilled at sewing, knitting and crocheting, and glad to teach anyone with a desire to learn.  Joyce created hundreds of blankets and baby hats for donation, and potholders / dish scrubbers for all who knew her. 

Joyce is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Eileen Farkas, and Dave and Mary Farkas, her brother, Jim Thoreson, grandchildren Dana, Amanda, and Troy, as well as several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by husband Paul, son Bill, grandson Travis, and sister Peggy.

A very special thank you to her brother Jim and his wife Lynne for all the time, love and support provided, especially during the past year of Joyce’s illness.  We are very grateful for Joyce’s friends at Eagleview for their friendship, visits, flowers, prayers, meals, transportation, dog walking, mail and package pickup, and many more. We are also indebted to Joyce’s live-in caregivers and hospice team for the last 7 months for keeping her as comfortable as possible during this most difficult time.

A private family service will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider a donation to the ALS Association in her memory. https://www.als.org/