Joyce Whitehead Lathbury

Joyce Whitehead Lathbury of New Hope, Pennsylvania, died at her home on Saturday, May 26, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She was 76.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Joyce was a longtime resident of Princeton, New Jersey, moving to New Hope, Pennsylvania in 2013. She was an accomplished psychiatric social worker specializing in couples and family therapy. Joyce graduated at the top of her class at Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Delaware and earned her bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She finished her academic studies at the University of California at Berkeley where she earned a Masters in Social Work. During her career, Joyce was committed to her profession and clients deeply, working for a range of national psychiatric and mental health institutions and with patients in private practice later in her career. Joyce was a lifelong tennis player and accomplished gardener. She was a member of the Master Gardeners of New Jersey and Stony Brook Garden Club for over 20 years.

Joyce was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and doted on her
grandchildren. She enjoyed art, painting in watercolors, and drawing in pen and ink. She had a unique eye for understated elegance and beauty that was reflected in her home, her gardens, and her style. But most of all, Joyce is remembered for her kindness and care for others. She had a true sense of empathy, love, and commitment. She authentically felt the joy and pain of others and provided guidance and love without reservation.

The daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Duff Whitehead, Joyce is survived by her husband of 31 years Vincent “Bill” Lathbury; her children Brian T. O’Leary and his wife Angela Mikula of High Bridge, N.J. and Erin O’Leary and her husband Tom Dickey of Lambertville; her two grandchildren; and her brother and his wife Neil and Ruth Whitehead of Cape May, N.J.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, May 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home, 21 York Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 (vhmfh.com). There will be a prayer service at 5 p.m. that evening.

A memorial celebration to be held in the fall will be announced at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to Fisherman’s Mark, 37 S. Main Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 (info@fishermansmark.org) or to Save, 1010 Route 601, Skillman, NJ 08558 (save@savehomelessanimals.org).