Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Ann Sitrick Joyce built a career and a life defined by service, leadership, and community engagement. A graduate of the University of Illinois with degrees in Political Science and History, she began her professional journey in marketing with United Bank of Illinois and later as Publicity Coordinator for the Rockford Public Library.

In 1989, Sitrick Joyce moved to Beloit, where her dedication to education and community well-being came into full focus. She joined the School District of Beloit, serving in multiple roles over the years, culminating in her leadership as District Title IX Officer and Assistant to the Superintendent for Safe Schools and Community Relations. In 1996, she accepted the position of Executive Director of the Beloit Memorial Hospital Foundation at Beloit Health System. In that role, she directed several successful campaigns, raising more than $15 million to expand and enhance health services for the community. Following her retirement, she continued to share her expertise as a consultant, helping countless organizations strengthen their strategic planning, fundraising, and governance.

She served with dedication on the boards of the Beloit International Film Festival, Cedar Crest Retirement Community, New Court Theatre, Beloit Area Task Force on Homelessness (BATFoH), Voluntary Action Center, Zonta, and the Town of Beloit Planning Commission. A strong advocate for the arts, she co-founded Parent Advocates for the Performing Arts (PAPAS). Through her service with the Stateline Community Foundation—as both a board member and chair—she strengthened philanthropic support for the region, while her work with the Foundation’s Women’s Fund reflected her lifelong passion for empowering women. Her leadership at Visit Beloit, including her term as chair, helped shape the “Beloit: A Family Place” initiative, reflecting her enduring pride in and advocacy for her community.

Her decades of service to Girl Scouting were a particular point of pride. From her high school project teaching swimming to youth with disabilities, to board roles with the Rock River, Badger, and Badgerland Councils, Sitrick Joyce modeled leadership and mentorship. She was honored with Girl Scouting’s highest volunteer recognitions, the Thanks Badge I and II, awards reserved for extraordinary service that benefits the entire movement.

A trailblazer and role model, she broke new ground as the first woman president of the Rotary Club of Beloit in 2001–2002. Her chapter’s excellence was recognized internationally at the Rotary Convention in Barcelona, where she was one of 60 presidents honored worldwide. She fully embraced the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” and her leadership left a lasting impact on the organization and the community it serves. In October 2017, her decades of commitment were recognized locally when she was named Beloit Daily News Volunteer of the Month.

Beyond her professional and civic accomplishments, Sitrick Joyce was known for her warmth, mentorship, and enthusiasm. She had an unwavering belief in the power of service, the importance of community, and the potential of young people. Her passion extended to the arts, education, philanthropy, and civic life, and her personal joy included cheering on her beloved Chicago Bears.

She is survived by her husband, Harold “Hal” Joyce, and her three sons: Michael (Elizabeth), David (Colleen Cass), and Aaron. Her greatest legacy lives on not only in the organizations she strengthened and the causes she championed, but most of all in her family and the countless individuals she inspired.