Joy Dancer

Joy T. Dancer, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, October 18th at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 74. She was born on November 24, 1947, to the late Charles and Mary (Butera) Testa.

Born to hard working parents in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Joy graduated from Gwynedd Mercy University in 1969. She and her husband moved to Westerville in 1974. After raising a family, she began her career with the Energizer Battery Company. In 2016, she retired from Advanced Sales and Marketing Company as a National Sales Trainer.

Joy loved her family fiercely, and will be missed by her devoted husband of 52 years, Ernie, their children Ted Dancer, Meredith Dancer, Marissa (Chris) Prince; and the grandchildren that she adored, Teddy Dancer, Carter Dancer, Taya Dancer, Joseph Prince, and Frances Joy Prince. She enjoyed her role as big sister to her brother Chuck (Khristy) Testa.

Joy was passionate about her Italian heritage, travel, and cooking. She was known for the “best spaghetti sauce east of the Mississippi”. She even self-published a cookbook, Cooking with Joy. She went on many international adventures with her husband and close friends where she loved to explore and try new cuisines.

She loved the ocean and beach afternoons at her Hilton Head home.

In her retirement, she enjoyed playing pickleball and volunteering with Westerville Area Resource Ministries. She held an active social calendar with her friends both near and far, especially with her Hilton Head crew and the “Beehive Girls”. She was a 25-year member of Church of the Resurrection in New Albany, where she was a faithful servant and sat on Parish Council and various committees.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022 from 5-8pm at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST FUNERAL HOME, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, and again on Tuesday, October 25, from 10-11am at Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E. Dublin Granville Rd., New Albany. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place immediately following at 11am, officiated by Fr. Jerry Rodenfels. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.