Joyce A. Dineen

To know Joyce Dineen was truly to love her—and she loved you back with everything she had. But perhaps not quite as deeply as she loved Jesus and her faith. That truth brings us comfort, knowing that in the early morning hours of Monday, July 28th, she met Jesus face to face, following a brief stay with Hospice of Cincinnati, Blue Ash. Our beloved Wife, Mom, and Mamaw, Joyce Ann Dineen, passed away peacefully, surrounded for days by family and friends who loved her dearly.

Joyce was born on October 21, 1946, to Orville and Bertha Wright in Middletown, Ohio. She graduated from Middletown High School in 1964, where she was a majorette who could toss a baton to the moon and back with ease. In 1965, she met and married Jim Dineen. This August 7th would have marked their 60th wedding anniversary—an accomplishment she was incredibly proud of. Together, they had two daughters, Shari (Dineen) Lacy (’69) and Leslie (Dineen) Renneker (’71)—the jewels in Joyce’s crown. She was the very best Mom, and she loved her role deeply.

While her daughters were still in school, Joyce earned her Paralegal Certificate and later spent many years in Purchasing with Voith Sulzer Paper Tech.

One of the most defining and selfless acts of her life came in 2003, when she donated a kidney to Jim after learning he needed a transplant. She never thought twice about it, and her gift allowed him to watch their grandchildren grow into adulthood. It was, truly, the greatest gift. For her bravery and strength, Joyce received the Women of Excellence Award in 2004 from the West Chester–Liberty Chamber Alliance.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Jim; daughters Shari Lacy (David) and Leslie Renneker (Keith); and her cherished grandchildren: AJ Renneker, Hayden Lacy, Cole Renneker, Paige Renneker, and Ella Lacy. She is preceded in death by her parents, Orville “Bud” Wright and Bertha Wright, as well as her siblings, Howard Wright, Alma (McGee) Wright, and Orville Wright Jr. She also leaves behind a brokenhearted yet supportive circle of extended family—nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless lifelong friends. While dementia brought changes in how Joyce connected in the last years of her life, her happiness always came from being with family, friends, and loved ones. They were her pride and joy.

Joyce was a firecracker. She and Jim were once the couple to watch on the dance floor, especially when they did the Jitterbug. Petite in stature (a fact her nephews reminded her of every Christmas with newly polished short jokes), Joyce had one of the biggest hearts you could ever encounter. She was selfless, caring, loving, humorous, supportive, generous, devoted, and faithful. She lived out her faith daily and was an inspiration to all who knew her. Joyce’s greatest accomplishments remain in the love of her family and friends, and her treasured roles as Wife, Mom, Mamaw and Friend.

Joyce’s life didn’t demand attention—but it left an impact on every person she met. She was a quiet beauty, wrapped in a kind-hearted soul, with a deep strength and faith that were a constant thread throughout the entirety of her life. And we are all better for it.

We will honor Joyce at a Celebration of her life on Friday, August 1, 2025: Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd. (at Bonita Dr.), Middletown, followed by the Celebration of Life at 1:00 PM. Burial to follow immediately after the service at Butler County Memorial Park.

***Wear black if you love it, but black wasn’t Joyce’s thing! Feel free to celebrate her life in color!***

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to: Renal Support Network https://www.rsnhope.org/ or Hospice of Cincinnati. Please sign the guestbook online at WilsonSchrammSpaulding.com