Joyce (Irwin) Gagnon

Joyce Gagnon, 83, of Burton, OH, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, March 3rd, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Geneva, Pennsylvania on November 13th, 1942, to the late William and Leona (Hart) Irwin.

During her career, Joyce worked at Stock Equipment Co. as an electronic assembler. While working and raising her two children, she attended college to obtain her Art Therapy degree. She completed a Children’s Awareness Training course in 1992. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994, and her Master of Arts in Art Therapy in 1998. She volunteered at Montefiore Nursing Home conducting art therapy sessions with Alzheimer’s patients. She was also a member of the American Art Therapy Association, Inc. Upon receiving her Master’s degree, she began working as an Art Therapist at Geauga UH Hospital until her retirement.

Joyce was also an awarded artist. She was a painter using different mediums, a sculptor, a silk painter, etc.

Joyce loved being around her family at gatherings and loved crafting with her seven great grandchildren. She belonged to many groups and loved attending meetings and taking trips with those groups. She enjoyed picnics, nature and attending theatrical plays. She could be seen, weather permitting, religiously walking her toy fox terrier, Rembrandt, around Burton Square.

Joyce will be greatly missed by: her loving daughter; Tina (Bob) Zeleznikar; her son; Pierre Gagnon; grandchildren, Adam (Alexis) Zeleznikar, Sarah (Brian) Schatz, Aaron (Cassidy) Zeleznikar, Pierre Gagnon Jr. and Tyler Gagnon; great grandchildren, Harper Zeleznikar, Zoey Schatz, Lilliana Schatz, Isabel Schatz, Cadence Zeleznikar, Cashton Zeleznikar, and Callea Zeleznikar, and her nieces and nephew and their children. Friend of Lois Ann.

She is preceded in death by: her parents; sister, Carol Ann Peterson; and brother, William Kenneth Irwin, Jr.

Services will be held at Burton Congregational Church on Saturday, March 21st, 14588 West park St., Burton, OH 44021, beginning at 11:30am for a gathering of family and friends with services immediately following at 1:00pm. A luncheon at the church will be provided immediately following the services.

Joyce’s loved color, so colorful clothing is encouraged.

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