Joyce Mary (Spillane) Kosis, of Dover, DE, formerly of Smyrna, DE, passed away on Sunday September 13, 2026 at the age of 89.

Joyce was the daughter of the late Leo and Violet (Scheerer) Spillane of Kearny, NJ, and the wife of her beloved late husband, John Kosis.

She is survived by her caring and loving daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Richard DeZao. She always had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren, Andrew, Anthony, Angeline, and Nicholas. She is also survived by her four great-grandchildren, Madison, Melany, Brooks, and Adrianna; as well as two sisters, Elaine O’Toole, and Lee Santucci; four nieces and nephews, Stacey, Artie, Danny, and Michael.

In addition to her beloved husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Jim Spillane.

She worked in retailing early on as a secretary and then became a stay-at-home mom for sixteen years. Later, she was employed by St. Raphael Church in the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ where she was a secretary for the religious education office. Joyce was also a catechist in the religious education program. She participated in the Rainbows for All God’s Children program as a facilitator. In addition, she also led the Inquiry part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for ten years. She was a member of the Columbiettes, an auxiliary of Brother Vincent Council # 7517 of the Knights of Columbus at St. Polycarp Church in Smyrna.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 AM Friday September 18, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S State St, Dover, DE. Interment will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to ChristianaCare Office of Philanthropy, 4000 Nexus Drive, Suite W3-300, Wilmington, DE 19803.

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Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.