Joyce "Jodi" Kelton passed away on March 10, 2017. She was 78.

Joyce Ann Direnzi was born November 28, 1938 to Frank and Marcella Direnzi in Republic, Pennsylvania. A coal miner's daughter and the oldest of three children, she attended Redstone High School. Joyce was a self-professed tom-boy, involved in the 4-H club, enjoyed basketball, swimming, and playing in the woods around her Western Pennsylvania home. Upon high school graduation, Joyce attended California University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a teaching degree in three years as she was eager to be done with school. Ever independent, Joyce, sometime in her youth, changed her name to Jodi, which she formed by taking the first two letters of her first and last name.

Jodi started her family and teaching career in Levittown, PA and eventually settled in Red Hill where she lived for the last 43 years. While she initially spent much of her time driving to (and sitting through) her children's lengthy swim team practices and meets, in 1979 she started working at Perkiomen School, teaching eighth and ninth grade English. Over the years, Jodi was a mainstay at Perkiomen, teaching hundreds of students from all over the world, including her own children. In addition, she also coached softball and the cheerleading squad, managed the school's dining hall, accompanied boarding students on weekend and international trips, went to school at night for her Master's degree, started a cake decorating business, and watched her children play soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and swim. Jodi spent the last part of her career as a reading specialist and tending the gardens at Perkiomen; she retired in 2009. Much of her retirement was spent listening to jazz, drinking coffee at Starbucks, taking care of her own garden and fish, and being ever optimistic about the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jodi is survived by her son Colin Kelton (Paige), daughters Kristen Mazurek (Mark) and Megan Kelton-Rehkopf (Jon), six grandchildren: Cody Mazurek, Clay Mazurek, Cole Kelton, Tanner Kelton, Hans Rehkopf, and Sonja Rehkopf, along with her brothers Jim Direnzi and Greg Direnzi. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Marcella, both of whom she cared for prior to their deaths.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in their mother's name be made to Perkiomen School, 200 Seminary St, Pennsburg, Pennsylvania 18073. A memorial service is being arranged for the summer and details will follow for friends and family. The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Pennsburg, has been entrusted with arrangements.

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