Joyce Annette Robbins

Joyce Annette Robbins, beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at MercyOne in Dubuque on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Born December 24, 1940, in Dixon, Illinois, Joyce lived a life filled with family, faith and a love of the outdoors.

Joyce was the daughter of Arthur and Elinor (Boyer) Kennedy. She graduated from Fulton High School, Class of 1958. She was first married to Don Morrissey and later to Gary Robbins. Joyce and Gary made their home for many years in Montana, where Joyce worked in home care and embraced the wide open spaces, wildlife and long country drives she loved so much. In 2019 she moved to Sabula, Iowa, to be near family.

Joyce was a devoted mother. She will be dearly missed by her children: Paula (Cy) Sandholdt of Sabula, Jay (Melody) Morrissey of Erie, Brad (Shelly) Morrissey of Chicago, Jeff Morrissey of Montana, Linda (Ben) Nentwig of Montana, Diane (David) Payseno of Denver, Colorado, Marty (Terri) Robbins of Wisconsin and Gary Jr. (Jessica) Robbins of Arizona. She also leaves behind 16 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Joyce is survived by siblings Wayne (Pat) Kennedy of Erie, Gary (Denise) Kennedy of Albany, Ralph Kennedy of Prophetstown, Dale (Bonny) Kennedy of Garden Plain, Steve (Susie) Kennedy of Peotone, Janet (Guy) Price of Albany, and Beverly Decker of Sterling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Robbins; her son, Eric Morrissey; and sisters Shirley Armstrong and Nancy Pratt.

Joyce enjoyed simple pleasures: spending time with family, playing cards with her brothers and sisters, long rides in the country and being outdoors. She was always kind, soft-hearted and loving.

A celebration of Joyce’s life will be 11:30am - 2:30pm Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Manny's Pizza in Savanna, Illinois. Law Jones Cremation & Funeral Care is in charge of arrangements.