Joyce Evonne Vedder

Himrod, NY February 24, 1942 – January 28, 2026 Age 83

Joyce E. Vedder Himrod: Joyce Evonne Ward Vedder, age 83, of Himrod, NY, passed away after a short illness on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at F. F. Thompson Memorial Hospital in Canandaigua, N.Y.

Honoring her wishes, there were no prior calling hours. A Celebration of Her Life will be held from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Himrod Fire House, Penn Yan - Himrod Rd., Himrod, NY. In lieu of flowers, her wish would be for memorial contributions to be made to your local Humane Society, your local volunteer fire department ladies auxiliary, or the Himrod Conservation Club, 770 Rice Hill Rd., Himrod, NY 14842.

Joyce was born Feb. 24, 1942, in Penn Yan, NY, the youngest daughter of the late David E. and Lulu M. (Simmons) Ward. Joyce started her working career while still in high school, working weekends for Seneca Foods in the computer room doing data input. She graduated from Dundee Central School in 1959. On June 11, 1960, in the Dundee Baptist Church, she married Ralph Benjamin Vedder. She learned all about vineyard work while being employed by Lee Gibson and Lew Green. She perfected her cooking skills working for the Showboat on Seneca Lake. Her longest career spanned over 20 years on the packaging line of the salt industry, retiring from U.S. Salt in Watkins Glen, NY.

Mrs. Vedder was a very active community member, still enjoying her membership in the Himrod Conservation Club, the Ladies Of The Moose Lodge #1519, a 50-year member, and past secretary and treasurer of the Himrod Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary; having also been a Past President of the Yates Co. Fireman's Ladies Auxiliary and Past President of the Northern Central Volunteer Fireman's Assoc. Ladies Auxiliary. When she wasn't busy working or volunteering, she was busy loving her dachshunds and collecting dachshund trinkets, working in her flower gardens, and looking forward to the holidays so she could decorate for Christmas; but her favorite time was every minute spent with her family.

She is loved and will be forever missed by her husband of 65 years, Ben Vedder of Himrod; her 3 children, Rose Marie (Carl) Hill Sr. of Manhattan, KS, Ron (Susanne) Vedder of Rock Stream, NY, and Carmela Sue (Joe) Salamendra of Dundee, NY; 7 dear grandchildren she was so proud of, Regina (Nick) Dawson, Carl Hill Jr., Katrina (Luke) Hull, Kristina Gilmore, Steven (Olivia Mason) Vedder, Thomas B. Vedder, and Cody J. Salamendra; 9 great-grandchildren she adored; several nieces and nephews; a dear friend she loved like a son, Lynnford Hoover; and her fur baby, "Sandy."

Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by a sister, Dolores E. Ward, in 2011, and a brother, Dale E. Ward, in 2019, and several in-laws.

Arrangements entrusted to the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.