LEWISTON – Joyce A. Tiner, 72, of 1 Mower Ave., Lewiston, died Friday, Nov. 12, at d’Youville Pavilion after a brief, but courageous, battle with cancer. Her family was by her side throughout.

Born in Portland on April 16, 1932, she was the daughter of Russell and Ina Staples Allen. She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1949, where she was a member of the award-winning ELHS band.

Throughout most of the 60s and 70s, Joyce worked as a bookkeeper/secretary in the insurance and banking industries, as well as at the Court Street Baptist Church, where she was a member. From 1981 to 1995, Joyce served as secretary for the Androscoggin County District Attorney, where she was well respected in both the law enforcement and legal communities.

From the late 70s until the time of her death, Joyce served in various capacities within the harness racing industry, most notably holding licenses for the positions of associate and presiding judge. She had the distinction of being one of only a few women in the entire country to attain that status. She was a member of the United States Trotting Association, Maine Association of Retirees, the Central Maine Medical Center wellness program, and was active in numerous animal welfare causes.

Her interests included her enjoyment of harness racing and country fairs, having lunch and going to craft fairs with friends, vacationing in Castine, and traveling along other parts of the Maine coast. She loved spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. After her family, Joyce’s greatest joy in life was her love of cats. Over the years, she owned and cared for many felines, including numerous strays, as she invested a great deal of time, energy, and resources toward those efforts.

Her greatest qualities were her selflessness and willingness to help others. She will sadly be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by children, Susan Marr of Auburn and her fiance, William Alexander Jr., of Topsham, Thomas Tiner and life partner, Judy Corkum, of Sabattus, John Tiner and his wife, Donna, of Augusta; three grandchildren, Catherine Hanson and her husband, James III, Cameron Marr, and James Tiner; and her beloved pets.

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