Elaine C. (Joyce) Protokowicz

Elaine C. (Joyce) Protokowicz, 84, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 31, 2026.  Born in Wilmington on February 26, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Edward F., Jr. and Martha (Metzelaar) Joyce.

Elaine was a graduate of St. Elizabeth High School and began her career with Atlas Powder Company (ICI). Upon marrying, Elaine became a loving and devoted wife, mother and homemaker, which she always considered her favorite and most important job.  As her family matured, she rejoined the workforce as an executive assistant, first with Himont, and lastly with MBNA having retired in 2003.

Elaine was a talented quilter, an avid reader and enjoyed gardening.  She also enjoyed traveling, with trips to Ireland and Italy among her favorites.  She was devoted to her pets and loved animals of all kinds.  Above all, time spent with her beloved family was her greatest pleasure.

Her husband of 54 years, John J. “Prot” Protokowicz, passed away on May 18, 2023.

Elaine will be dearly missed by her children, Mary Beth Adkins, Karen Marie Protokowicz, Michael Sean Protokowicz (wife, Marie), Maureen Elaine Protokowicz  and Kevin Ryan Protokowicz; her granddaughters, Ava Elizabeth and Mia Marie Protokowicz.  She is also survived by her brother, Edward F. Joyce III (wife, Carolyn), and multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. Elaine also cherished her many friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Sr. M. Edward Helene, SSJ and her brother, Robert Joyce.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church, 10 Old Church Road, Greenville on Tuesday, August 11 at 10:30AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elaine may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or a local animal shelter of your choice.

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