PORTLAND- Joyce Elaine Faulkner Ames, 88, of Portland, NY passed away on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehab Center in Dunkirk, NY.

She was born February 5, 1933 in Mayville, NY the daughter of the late Guy A. and Marjorie Van Atter Faulkner.

From the ages of nine to twenty she was raised by her maternal grandparents; Carl G and Harriette Van Atter. She was a 1951 graduate of Mayville Central School and a 1953 graduate of Jamestown Business College with a degree in Medical Secretarial. Joyce was then employed by Dr. Robert E. Storms in Westfield, NY from 1953 to 1956, Welch's Foods office from 1956 to 1963, Westfield Memorial Hospital from 1963 to 1966, Dr. Arnold Victor's office from 1969 to 1974, the Galley Restaurant from 1975 to 1984, McDonalds in Fredonia from 1988 to 1993, and Four Seasons Restaurant from 1993 to 1999.

Joyce is survived by her two sons; Michael Jon (Bobbi) Ames of Old Town, FL, Phillip Scott (Kathy) Ames of Portland, NY, one daughter; Melissa (Robert) Stalter of Portland, NY, grandchildren; Zachary (Kristy) Stalter, Justin (Lynsy) Stalter, Kimberly and Nicole Ames, Steven Morse, and Carrie Tredo, Randi (James) Fitzgibbons, and Jessica Goodell, fifteen great grandchildren, one sister; Nancy (Irwin) Ruttenbur and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; Bruce H. Ames, whom she married February 5, 1953 in Hartfield, NY and who died November 24, 1997, a brother; Richard A. Faulkner, maternal grandparents; Carl G. and Harriette Van Atter, and paternal grandparents; Roy and Jennie Faulkner.

Joyce was very active in her church, the Portland Congregational Church of Portland, NY, as the treasurer for fifteen years, organist and pianist for fifty-three years, and a choir director and Sunday School teacher for many years.

She enjoyed playing the piano, organ, and keyboards, singing, cooking, reading, knitting, and crocheting. She was a professional cook for twenty years before retiring July 30, 1999. She had a very large cookbook collection, game collection, and music collection. She also enjoyed roller skating, swimming, and time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Portland Congregational Church (8649 Church Street, Portland, NY 14769). The Rev. Joshua Ehmke will officiate. Burial will be in the Portland Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends are invited for visitation on Monday, August 23 from 4-7PM at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville (139 South Erie Street).

Memorial contributions can be made to the Portland Congregational Church (8649 Church Street, Portland, NY 14769) or the Westfield Patterson Library (40 South Portage Street, Westfield, NY 14787)

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com