Joyce Mcrae

Joyce McRae, 90, of LaBar Village in Stroudsburg, peacefully passed from this life to be with her husband Donald, on May 20, 2017. She is survived by her children, David McRae and his wife Louise Chadez of Spokane, WA; Lynn McRae and her husband Michael Whitman of Lyme Center, NH; Allen McRae of Bealeton, VA and Douglas McRae and his wife Jane of Seaford, NY. Joyce had ten grandchildren, one of whom predeceased her, and three great grandchildren.   Born in Brooklyn, NY on May 22, 1926, Joyce attended Barnard College in NYC and SUNY Albany, where she earned a Masters Degree. She married Donald McRae in 1948. They lived in Merrick, NY and Hemlock Farms, PA; after Donald passed, she moved to Stroudsburg.   Joyce began her working life as a chemist, then transitioned to teaching. Joyce was an early pioneer as an ESL teacher and was recognized for her exceptional talent teaching English to foreign-born students, earning several awards and commendations for her work. She was always very active with the Community Presbyterian Church in Merrick, and Stroudsburg’s First Presbyterian Church. She was an accomplished pianist, organist, and flautist and loved playing at services and at community functions.   She will be buried in Greenfield Cemetery on Long Island, next to her husband Donald. A memorial service in celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on July 29 at 11am at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Stroudsburg PA. Bensing-Thomas Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements. Bensing-Thomas Funeral Home 401 North 5th Street, Stroudsburg. www.bensing-thomasfuneralhome.com