Joyce E. Lello

JOYCE LELLO

February 22, 1934 - November 4, 2020

Joyce E. Lello, 86, died peacefully from natural causes on Wednesday, November 4th, 2020, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Camden, New Jersey.

The Daughter of Elva G. (Brown) and Naval Officer Frank Detwiler, Joyce grew up in Cramer Hill and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1952. Joyce married Charles J. Lello Jr. of Vineland, New Jersey in 1956 and together spent 40 years raising five children through life’s adventurous journey. Joyce is survived by children Donna Plankenhorn, Charlene Tech, Charles J. Lello III, Joyce Lello Feldman and Jeffery Lello; by her seven grandchildren, Brian, Jennifer and Kevin Plankenhorn, Charles J. Lello IV (CJ), Casey Lyn Lello, Ariel Feldman, Kaylin Lello and her Great Grandson, Christian. Joyce is also survived by siblings Francine Charning, Marilyn Wagner, and Keith Sass; Sisters-in-law Connie Detwiler and Dawn Sass; Brother-in-law Ed Charning; and Sons-in-law Edward Plankenhorn, Eric Tech and Les Feldman, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and godchildren. She was predeceased by brothers Donald and Wayne Detwiler, sister-in-law Barbara Detwiler, and brother-in-law Jerry Wagner. 

Through many years of hard work and dedication, Joyce and Charlie built a few successful food service businesses together where all their children (as well as some of their friends) worked and “hung out,” including C&J Cold Cuts Deli in two locations in South Jersey, and Silver Dipper Ice Cream and Donut Shop located on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey. The businesses not only became a training ground for character-building and good work ethics, but they were a hub of love and fun for family, friends and locals. Joyce’s life was a Carousel of Memories!

After selling their business, Joyce and Charlie retired in sunny South Florida where they lived near family and friends and began enjoying their golden years together. Though Joyce lost her husband Charlie after just a couple of short years there, she chose to stay in South Florida and do what she did best: love and care for others, and bring smiles to their faces. While she could have spent her days playing shuffleboard and yelling BINGO!, she instead dedicated her time to volunteering and serving others.

Joyce served as an Usher at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts where she JOYfully handed out Playbills, as well as enJOYed every performance herself. She also volunteered in the local library gift shop where sold jewelry and gifts, and served coffee to local residents. But her greatest accomplishment in volunteerism was at Westside Regional Medical Center Gift Shop where she was honored for volunteering 1600+ hours of service! Joyce’s encouraging words, beautiful smile, and warm blue eyes were sure to lift the spirits of all who visited the Gift Shop where she shared a message of hope to all that “With God, All Things Are Possible."

Per Joyce’s wishes, she’ll be cremated and will join her husband Charlie in a companion urn, and will be laid to rest together in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in North Lauderdale, Florida.

A “Celebration of Joyce’s Life” for family and friends will be held in Spring 2021.