Sister Joyce Marie Cecil, 81, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 62nd year of religious life. She was a native of New Hope. Her former religious name was Sister Lisa Marie.
Sister Joyce was a creative person who loved poetry and always enjoyed her time teaching young children. She was a teacher and parish minister, before turning her ministry to the Motherhouse.
She was a teacher at St. Martin School, Rome (1971-74) and St. Alphonsus School, St. Joseph (1976-80). She served in internal ministry at Maple Mount in later years, including as an activities assistant (2005-07), Retreat Center receptionist (2005-10), and assistant to the librarian (2010-17). She served elsewhere in Kentucky, Missouri, and New Mexico.
Survivors include the members of her religious community; her siblings Harold Cecil of Bon Aqua, Tenn., Bobby Cecil of Bardstown, Bernard Cecil of New Hope and Betty Mattingly, Ann Downs, Glenn Cecil, Louis Cecil and Patty McCauley, all of New Haven; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Mary Agnes Cecil.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation will begin Monday at 4 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m.
Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, is handling arrangements.
Donations in memory of Sister Joyce Marie may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.