Marian Joyce Rotell

Marian Joyce Rotell, 86, of Pendleton passed away August 3, 2023, at the Rawlins House, Pendleton.

She was born in Montpelier, Indiana on January 26, 1937, to Marion Warren and Dorothy Thelma (Wells) Rotell.

Joyce retired from the V.A. Hospital in 1997 following 22 years of service as a medical technologist. She was a member of the Golden Aires Musical Group and the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

Joyce formerly attended First United Methodist Church, Pendleton.

Joyce lost her mother Dorothy T. Bradbury at roughly 13 years old, and it was a powerfully painful loss that would remain with her throughout all her years.  She grew up with her siblings, Lowell and Arlene in Pendleton and Montpelier, Indiana until graduating Pendleton High School. After High School, she moved to Rockland County, New York.   She married Roger Rotell and then adopted her only child, David Rotell. Between Stony Point, Haverstraw, and Garnerville, she spent the next 20+ years of her life living in many places. Later, she moved on to Lodi, New Jersey and then finally migrated back to her Hoosier roots in Indiana.

Joyce, known as Joy, was always known to be a kind soul with a terrific sense of humor.  She would take the time to listen to anyone’s troubles with a patient and sympathetic ear.  She would always look to help anyone that needed assistance in life and couldn’t understand anyone that didn’t share the same moral compass in our world.

During the summer we would visit Atlantic City Beach together. Although the shore trips were fun, the really special trips for my Mom were the trips to Disney World.  Whether we were traveling down with friends or family, my mother would light up when we entered the gates of Disney World.  It was a spectacular, safe world that she adored.  She was a bit prone to motion sickness, so the rides were not the attraction for her, just the wonderful happy atmosphere.

Professionally she worked in many hospitals and medical facilities as a laboratory technician that included Helen Hayes, Letchworth, West Point (one of her favorites), the Bronx VA and many others.

Through the years she remained consistent in her kindness and gentle heart as she became a grandmother.  Her four grandchildren, Gianna, Kayla, Ava and Jacob Rotell will always remember the thoughtful and caring nature of their Grammy.   She was delighted to join her grandchildren in Disney World and witness their reaction to her happy place.

Special thank you to our cousin Brenda Flatter for all that she’s done for Joyce over the years.  Also, the doctors and nurses at Rawlins House did a wonderful job looking after my mother in her final years and I’m forever grateful for all that they did each day to help my mother until the day that she passed.

My mom was a bright light on the planet that made it a better place to be.  Words will not accurately capture how much she will be missed, nor will they capture how many lives that she has positively impacted over the years between her friends, my friends and of course our family.  One very bright star in our summer sky has finished her time and is going home to her mother and our friends and family that have passed before in heaven.

Survivors include her son, David M. (wife, Denise) Rotell of Leesburg, Virginia; grandchildren, Gianna, Kayla, Ava and Jacob; and sister, Arlene Clark.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Lowell Bradbury.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, from 5 to 7 pm at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Lahm Chapel, Pendleton, Indiana.

Funeral Services will be held at Fall Creek Christian Church, 1102 W. 700 S., Pendleton, Indiana on Saturday August 12, 2023 at 10 am followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, Bluffton, Indiana at 2 pm.