Joy Lee (Yockey) Constantino

Joy Lee (Yockey) Constantino, 84, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023 at IU Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. She was born on January 18, 1939 in New Castle, a daughter of the late Fred Wilson and Mable Marie (Eilar) Yockey.

Joy was a graduate of New Castle High School and studied English at Indiana University where she met her husband, Ernesto Constantino. At the age of 19, Joy and Earnest married and they returned to his native country, the Philippines. While residing in the Philippines, Joy earned her bachelor of arts in English at the University of the Philippines. She taught English at the University of Philippines and later at the University of Hawaii. Eventually, Joy and her family returned to the United States and she spent a year at Yale University prior to returning to Indiana University where she completed her master’s in English.

Joy began a new chapter in life by moving to San Francisco and began working for law firms as a proof reader and volunteered at a children’s hospital. The hospital made such an impression on Joy she decided to become a surgical nurse and was employed at Sequoia Hospital. In 2001, Joy returned to New Castle to be near her family and for five years was a nurse at Ball Memorial Hospital. Joy had a love for travelling the world and visited numerous countries. She loved to read, especially literature by Thomas Hardy, and volunteer her time to various causes especially the Daughters of the American Revolution. She most recently attended the Jacksonburg Christian Church.

Joy is survived by her son, Ernie Constantino Jr. of Chicago; brother, Calvin (Kay) Yockey of New Castle; nieces and nephews, Kevin, Karen, Kris, Keith, Curtis, Paul, Nancy and DeWayne; cousins, Alice (Danny) Collins, Dixie Ford and Annie Lindley.

In addition to her parents, Joy was preceded in death by her brother, Buford Yockey; nephews, Leslie and Brian Yockey.

Services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, July 28, 2023 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Pastor Jamie Fagen officiating. Burial will follow in Brick Cemetery in Hagerstown. The land that Brick Cemetery Rests on was donated by Joy’s great-great grandfather. Visitation will be from 11:00am until the time of service on Friday. Memorial contributions may be given to the Henry County Humane Society with envelopes available at the funeral home. You may express condolences or share memories of Joy at www.hinsey-brown.com .