Joyce S. Hayward
Inducted into International Women’s Divers Hall
of Fame and Great Lakes Maritime historian

July 14, 1944 to August 26, 2009

Joyce S. Hayward, age 65 of Bellevue passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the Bellevue Hospital. She was born July 14, 1944 in Fremont the daughter of the late James & Frances (Young) Stewart.

She became involved in scuba diving on shipwrecks and archeology training during the early 80’s. She has served as the Great Lakes Director for the

productions. Joyce started the production company “White Winds Productions” which is dedicated to creating programs about Great Lakes Maritime history. Along with Dave Bowers, she organized the Bellevue Senior High School Marine Club, writing grants for student funding to learn about the seas. Her smile will be missed at the Portage Quarry where she would dive frequently, particularly in the early days of her diving career.

Joyce was an educator, teaching 4th grade at York School. A 1962 graduate of Fremont Ross High School, she earned her teaching degree from Bowling Green State University and continued graduate work there, the University of Maryland and Miami University. In 1969, she entered the Teacher In Space Program at Goddard Space Flight Center and participated in the first NASA film devoted to involving teachers in space education. While training at Goddard she also earned her pilot’s license. Her experience with NASA was utilized in the classroom as she began the Young Astronaut program at York School. She created York’s Penny Pinchers, which teaches children about environmental issues and holds an annual earth day program. She also started the York School Photography Club, which helps 5th and 6th grade students develop basic photography skills, using digital equipment. She became a Master Teacher in 1992, with Miami University Environmental Field School.

Joyce created original educational games and the self published “Teacher Made Games & Gimmicks” which feature over 100 simple games to help the learning process. Outside the classroom activities include serving on various committees, such as the Core Technology Committee, the S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Committee, District II representative of Science Education Council of Ohio and the Proficiency Test Review Committee within the Ohio Department of Education.

She held the positions on the Health Education Board with the American Lung Association, Project STAR LEAP and Ocean Focus at BGSU. She was appointed by the Governor to serve on a committee to oversee management of the Lake Erie shipwrecks.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, BSHS Halls of Excellence, Class of 2007, Bellevue Teachers Association, founding member of Bay Area Divers and was a crew member on a hot air balloon.

Survivors include her daughter, Heather (Brian) Mazza of Bellevue, grandson, Mason Mazza, brother, William (Barbara) Stewart of Virginia, ½ brother, Bruce Stewart of Florida, ½ sisters Virginia Jackson & Barbara Richards of Massachusetts, nephew Ian Stewart of Colorado, niece, Cathy (Joey) Branham of Virginia, 8 Hayward nieces & nephews along with a large extended family who have been very supportive of Joyce throughout her life.

Friends will be received Friday, Aug 28, 2009 from 2-8 pm at Foos and Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue and on Saturday, Aug 29,2009 from 9 am until service time at 10 am at First United Methodist Church, 901 Northwest St., Bellevue. Burial will follow at York Chapel Cemetery.

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