Joyce Jacobi Lonergan

Joyce Jacobi Lonergan was born March 5, 1934 on a farm in central Iowa. Moving to Boone, Iowa in 1947 she graduated from Boone High School and attended Des Moines Area Community College. Married to Paul J. Lonergan they were parents of four children - Patrick, Peter, Kathleen, and Staci. The children were ages 11-22 when Joyce 43 was widowed in 1977. Active in school affairs she was also involved with campfire for her daughters and was a den mother for her sons.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone was the recipient of many of her volunteer hours as was the Council of Catholic Women. She is past president of Boone County Church Women United. Boone County Community Credit Union is another organization which benefited from Joyce's service on their board and her tenure as president. In 1979 Joyce received the Soroptmist International 'Women Helping Women' award. After many years of working with and supporting the Democratic Party Joyce made the decision to become a candidate. Elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in November 1974 she served 12 years. Human services were her special area of interest. Choosing to be politically involved closer to home Joyce was elected Boone County Recorder in 1986. November 1994 she was reelected to her third term.

Rheumatoid Arthritis has affected her health for thirty years including multiple surgeries. But though at times it slows her down Joyce has continued to travel extensively including Africa, Ecuador, and Europe. Hosting International visitors for various lengths of time from a few days to a full year is one of her special projects. Sharing her home and American traditions Joyce also tries to learn as much as possible about her visitor's country thus receiving as much as she gives. In spite of family responsibilities and health obstacles Joyce has devoted her life to community church and political involvement and richly deserves to be honored in the Plaza of Heroines.

7/1/96