Second Citizens remember Joyce Sloane

As word spreads about last night's death of Second City matriarch and producer emeritus Joyce Sloane at age 80, members of the Second City community have begun to share their condolences and memories via Facebook and Twitter:

@TheSecondCity: "Joyce Sloane-1930-2011: The loss is monumental but her legacy carries on forever in the work of the artists of whom she was so proud."

Andrew Alexander, CEO & co-owner of the Second City, shared via Facebook: "Joyce Sloane’s impact on the Chicago theater community cannot be measured. She nurtured thousands of young performers – she encouraged them, fed them, even housed them when needed. She was the mother of The Second City and she cannot be replaced. The loss is monumental but Joyce Sloane’s legacy carries on forever in the work of the artists of whom she was so proud."

@SecondCityChiTC: "The Second City has lost another one of its great ladies."

@NiaVardalos: "Friend+mentor, Second City Prod Joyce Sloane, has passed away. She taught us to be tough, that there's no crying in comedy. Except today."

Murphy's Bleachers bartender Russ Natalie, via Facebook: "When I was interning at Second City, Joyce was having a foot problem. I remember her trying to walk down the stairs in the lobby and she got about three steps into it and I heard her go "Fuck these fuckin' stairs". She made it all the way down though. I had to laugh. Tough lady, great Chicagoan."

Producer/director Oliver Oertel, via Facebook: "My Joyce memory isn't SC related. We were doing a small production of No Exit at the Neo-Futurarium and close to our opening our source for prop furniture fell through. I went to her resale store and before I could even finish explaining the problem, she said, "Take whatever you need." Great, kind, generous and understanding woman who supported theatre like nobody else in Chicago. Sorry she's gone."

@TimRyder: "So sad to hear about Joyce Sloane. I'll always treasure the few interactions we had. Second City has lost a big part of its heart today."

Brian Stack, Conan writer/performer, via Facebook: "Rest in peace, Joyce. I can't even begin to thank you for all you've done, not just for Second City and its performers, but for all of American comedy. "

iO Chicago, via Facebook: "The iO Theater would like to extend our condolences to the Second City family for their loss. Joyce Sloane was a friend to us all and we will all miss her."

@BonnieHuntShow: "My love, respect, and deep gratitude to Joyce Sloane, may you enjoy eternal laughter with our other beloved Second City-zens in heaven..."

UPDATE: "Joyce Sloane Update: Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 8th at 11:00am at Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 North Broadway. At 12:00pm, Second City will host a luncheon and open house followed by a memorial service at 1:30pm. The family has requested that contributions in Joyce's memory be sent to Chicago Academy for the Arts and/or Victory Gardens Theater."--Second City, via Facebook