Joyce Hilty Richards

Joyce Hilty Richards passed away peacefully after a brief illness on August 26, 2021.  She was soon to celebrate her 92^nd birthday.

A long-time resident of Wilmington, DE, Joyce was born in Camden, NJ to Grace and George Hilty II.  She attended Seaford High School and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1951 with a degree in Elementary Education and English and met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Richards.  They were married shortly after her graduation.

Her volunteer commitment to Church, community organizations and non-profits were many and varied.  These include The Altar Guild, Green Show Committee and volunteer receptionist at Christ Church Christiana Hundred; Delaware Art Museum Council and The Wilmington Flower Show.  Joyce was a member of P.E.O. and a passionate advocate for providing scholarships for women pursuing higher education.  She was also a member of The Junior Board of Christiana Care and a recipient of a Volunteer of the Year Award.

Joyce had been a member of the Alumni Association Board for the U of D and in 1998 she received the honor of The Outstanding Alumni Award.  Joyce and her husband created “The Joyce Hilty and Robert Richards Graduate Fellowship” at the U of D in 1998, which provides living expenses for engineering graduate students with families.

She loved her many summers in Ocean City, NJ and later their second home in St. Thomas USVI, where she enjoyed the beauty of the islands, powerboating, sailing, snorkeling and fishing. She attended the First Thursday Book Club regularly.  Her other passions included music, art, literature and poetry.

Joyce was a wonderful hostess with an irresistible smile and an infectious laugh. She was also known for her gracious, positive attitude, and dedication to family and friends.  Her strength and quiet wisdom will be remembered by all who knew her.

Joyce was pre-deceased by her husband of nearly 70 years, Robert; daughter, Joy Mount; brother, George R. Hilty III; and sister, Bernice Hilty Holleran.  She is survived by her daughters, Alice Ward (Michael) and Julie Drewes (Thomas); son-in-law, Frank Mount; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Barbara Mullins Hilty, Jan Ziegler, Mary Wright, and Jane Atkinson; and nieces and nephews.  Included in the family circle are her loving caregivers, Birtie, Pam, Jo’Wanna, Carolyn and Eleanor.

The family cannot express how much we will miss her but find peace in knowing she is now with her beloved husband, Bob.  We celebrate a life-well lived!