October 26, 1937 – January 4, 2017
Joyce Eccles Schneider passed away peacefully January 4, 2017 in Healdsburg, California. She was 79 years old. She is survived by her husband, Philip Schneider, her children Greg Eccles (and his wife Jill), Brad Eccles, Doug Eccles (and his wife Amy), Shawna Renaud (and her husband Craig), Rob Schneider (and his wife Petra) and Bill Schneider (and his wife Jill); as well as sixteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Joyce was born on October 26, 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska to John and Greta Chidester. They moved to California in 1938. In high school, Joyce enjoyed playing the lead in many school productions, and she was president of the Drama Club. She graduated from high school with honors in 1955. An enthusiastic participant and winner of many beauty contests, she was crowned National Orange Show Queen and Miss San Bernardino in the mid 1950s. She also was a volunteer for Arthritis and Heart Fund and PTA Membership Chairman in San Gabriel Valley. When Joyce’s first husband, Eugene Eccles, passed away in 1967, Joyce and her children relocated to Northern California. She was the first woman hired by the California Teachers’ Association as a Special Services Representative. She was top producer every year she was there. Joyce also was employed at Olsen Meat Company, Freedman Bros. Tax Shelter Annuities, Snelling & Snelling and managed several Nutri-System offices in Sonoma County. Joyce and Philip were married December 2, 1973 in Reno, Nevada. Joyce enjoyed reading, painting and crafts, and going on adventures with Philip and her grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Joyce’s memory to Stanford Medicine ME/CFS Initiative or to the Redwood Gospel Mission.
