Joyce W. Grigson, Ph.D.

On May 30, 2025, Joyce W. Grigson, PhD, RN-BC, NCPsyA, age 91, of Freedom Village in Coatesville, PA passed away peacefully, surrounded by her daughters and an abundance of love.

Joyce was born on August 2, 1933, at home in Reading, PA to Edgar Allen and Mary Ellen (Moyer) Wenrich. After graduating from General Vocational College, Joyce earned her R.N. from Brandywine Hospital School of Nursing, Coatesville, PA in 1954. She married and had six daughters before returning to work in 1967 to Embreeville State Mental Hospital in Embreeville, PA, where she renewed her passion for, and study of, modern psychoanalysis.

While working full-time and raising six girls, Joyce completed her bachelor’s studies at Skidmore College, Sarasota Springs, NY and her doctoral degree from The Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH in 1986. In addition to Embreeville State Mental Hospital, Joyce provided compassionate care to residents of Devereux Foundation, the Partial Hospital Program: Glenolden House, and Haverford State Hospital from which she retired as the Director of Nursing Education and Staff Development in 1994 to pursue her private practice full-time.

As a Certified Psychoanalyst and Clinical Supervisor in the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis, Joyce also served as a Senior Training Analyst and Clinical Supervisor for PSP (Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis), now IMPP, (Institute of Modern Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia) for about 20 years. Joyce was a member of the Board of Directors for The Spirit of Gheel, in Spring City, PA, and served on the PSP Board from 1995 to 2024.

Joyce retired from private practice in 2023 at the age of 89 and retired from the PSP, now IMPP, Board of Directors in 2024, at 90.

Joyce Grigson was many things to many people. To her children, she was a mom who ice skated with them, made sure they learned how to swim, got them ponies and horses—stretching her budget for those she loved most. Making pull taffy, fasnachts, apple fritters, pies, cakes, and sticky buns to share. Sewing matching red Christmas dresses with white pinafores and smocked Easter dresses with matching pastel coats. Six little girls, all in row. Beautifully dressed. And mostly well behaved; she taught them how. Every birthday was special. Every Christmas, magical—she sacrificed to make it so.

Most of all, Joyce created a warm, safe home; a place to grow, a place to dream, a place to expand the family—her work never done. As much as her children loved her—and will love her forever and always—everyone who knew her loved her, too. There are so many stories from those whose lives Joyce touched. She was always curious. Always learning. Aways truly caring for each individual. There was always time to talk; time to listen. And always room for one more. Joyce will be missed by all who knew her.

Joyce was predeceased by her father, Edgar Allen Wenrich, her mother, Mary Ellen (Moyer) Wenrich; her sisters, Janice A. Banks and Judith W. Preston; her grandson, William Jeremy Whiteman; her nephew, Jeffery A. Banks, and her nephew’s wife, Richarda L. Banks. She is survived by her daughters M. Beth Grigson-Babecki, Pamela J. Whiteman, Deborah A. Grigson (Chad Pearce), Jennifer G. Harrigan (Reed), Sue Grigson Kennedy (David), Alexandra V. Grigson (Chuck Kedra), and Kathryn S. Thompson. In addition, Joyce leaves behind her very much-loved: 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, cousin Cheryl Harding (Alex Hernandez), six nieces and nephews, and six grand-nieces and -nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Visitation 10am on June 13, 2025 at The Donohue Funeral Home at 43 W. Lancaster Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335, 610-269-3080, followed by the Funeral Service at 11am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Institute for Modern Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia (formerly PSP). You can do so by visiting https://psptraining.com/the-joyce-grigson-endowment/ to continue the work Joyce devoted her professional life to.