Joyce (Twible) Runge (90), a long time resident of West Hartford, CT, died on February 28, 2021 at The Village of East Farms, Waterbury, CT. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Siegfried T. Runge. They were wed for fifty years. Joyce was born in Ware, Massachusetts and was the only daughter of William and Ruby (Wylie) Twible. She had three older brothers-Carlton, Ellsworth, and Harlan Twible. Her early education was provided by the Hardwick Public School System in the village of Gilbertville, MA. She received her B.S. in Education from Boston University in 1952 and her M.A. from Trinity College, Hartford, CT in 1970.
Her first teaching position was in Manchester, CT. During her career, she was elected to Pi Lambda Theta and Delta Kappa Gamma, two honor societies for women in education. She was enchanted by young children and considered it a great privilege to have been able to witness the thrill and joy so many children experienced as they solved the mystery of the written word and gained word power. She taught first grade in Canton, CT for twenty years. After their retirement in 1989, she and her husband thoroughly enjoyed their opportunities for togetherness. They travelled extensively in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. She spent much leisure time reading, walking, gardening, and watching UConn Women’s Basketball and Yankee Baseball. She was a member of the West Hartford Dames and the West Hartford Senior Center. She had been a communicant of Saint James’s Episcopal Church for over forty years.
As a loving wife and mother, she dedicated her life to her husband and their children. She is survived by her five children and their spouses- Siegfried Theodore Runge, III of Waipahu, HA; Erik William Runge of Lincoln, NE; Karen Runge Mendez of Yuba City, CA; Kurt Werner Runge of Gaithersburg, MD; and Keith Andrew Runge of Oakville, CT. She leaves eleven cherished grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her family is ever so grateful for the compassion and care given to Joyce during her last year by the wonderful staff of Elder Crew.
At Joyce’s request, there will be no calling hours. Funeral service and interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial donations to the West Hartford Senior Center, 15 Starkel Road, West Hartford, CT or a charity of their choice. Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, West Hartford will be in charge of funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com