Joyce Hannah Tappan

Joyce Hannah Dillon Tappan, 88, passed peacefully on November 6, 2026. She lived a remarkable life filled with adventure, family, friendships, travel, and a deep love of horses, sailing, and skiing. Joyce was loved by all who knew her.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Joyce was the daughter of Viva Widdis and Joseph Dillon, naturalized citizens from Canada who settled in Redford, a suburb of Detroit. The Dillon family has roots dating back to 1853, when the family farm was established in Merlin, Canada, representing a longstanding part of the family's heritage. Joyce graduated from St. Mary's of Redford High School and attended Hillsdale College, where she majored in journalism, was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and enjoyed sailing, skiing, and campus life.

Joyce met her first husband, Preston Lindenberg, at a sailing regatta. Their adventures took them from Ohio State University to Fort Lauderdale, where in 1958 they purchased a 50-foot ketch and operated charter trips to the Bahamas. In 1960, they relocated to St. Croix when Preston joined the U.S. Coast Guard. There, Joyce helped establish a three-day horse show and a pony club for youngsters, briefly pursued fashion modeling, and hosted an afternoon television show. They had two children, Preston and Viva.

Following her divorce, Joyce returned to Detroit in 1970, where she met and married Charles "Chip" Tappan. Chip adopted Preston and Viva, and in 1972 they moved to Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, later settling in Edgewood.

Missing Michigan's lakes, Chip and Joyce discovered Lake Waynoka near Sardinia, Ohio, in 1973. They built a cedar cottage on the water and created a treasured family retreat. Their friendship with the Soper family next door became an important part of their lives, as Preston and Viva grew up sailing, water skiing, and swimming with the Soper boys. Joyce was devoted to her children's schools, active in their PTAs, and started Tuesday dance lessons at Beechwood. She endured the heartbreaking loss of Preston in a motorcycle accident in 1980 and Viva in 2023.

Joyce was generous with her time and involved in numerous community organizations, including St. Elizabeth Guild, The Point, United Fund, Turfway Park's Spiral Board, Henry Hosea House, Wellness Community, and First Step Home.

In 1973, Chip and Joyce founded what became Tappan Properties, beginning with a Taco Bell in Flint, Michigan. The business grew to include 12 commercial properties throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, totaling approximately 921,000 square feet.

For more than 30 years, Joyce was an active partner in thoroughbred racehorse ownership, sharing the excitement and friendships of racing at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Turfway Park, Gulfstream, Saratoga, and many other tracks. She also served for several years on the Kentucky Backside Committee and the Kentucky Racing Commission.

Travel and adventure were lifelong passions for Joyce and Chip. Their journeys took them around the world, including the Amazon, Peru, Africa, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. Their adventures included dogsledding in Alaska and following the Iditarod by bush plane and dogsled. They also enjoyed 40 years of skiing, with Aspen remaining their favorite destination for 20 years.

In later years, Chip and Joyce enjoyed their official fall and winter home in Longboat Key, Florida. Chip preceded Joyce in death in 2024.

Joyce is survived by her granddaughter, Hanna Katharine Mueller of Covington, Kentucky.

Joyce's life was defined by her adventurous spirit, generosity, independence, and love of family and friends. From sailing in the Caribbean to summers at Lake Waynoka, from the excitement of thoroughbred racing to travels around the world, she embraced life fully. She leaves behind a lifetime of wonderful memories and friendships. She will be dearly missed and forever loved.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 8:00 AM to the hour of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM all at St. Barbara Church, 4042 Turkeyfoot Rd, Erlanger, KY 41018.

Inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Donations may be made in Joyce’s memory to support The Point Arc Serving Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, 104 West Pike Street Covington, KY 41011.