Colorful alderman, 84, dies in Eureka Springs

 Joyce Zeller
Joyce Zeller

When she didn't show up for the Eureka Springs City Council meeting Monday night, police were dispatched to check on Alderman Joyce Zeller.

They found the 84-year-old woman dead at home. Police Chief Thomas Achord said she apparently died of natural causes.

Mayor Robert "Butch" Berry was informed during Monday's meeting.

"I was pretty shocked," Berry said. "We took a five-minute recess and I told the council."

Zeller was a perfumer, aromatherapist, novelist and television personality, of sorts. She was featured July 29 in an episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central.

Zeller was speaking in favor of the city's anti-discrimination ordinance.

"If you're a 7-foot-tall man and you want to parade in town wearing a purple dress, that's fine," Zeller told Jordan Klepper, a correspondent for the show who jokingly referred to Eureka Springs as a "nightmarish hellscape sin-palace thunderdome of gay."

Zeller said she was surprised by how much attention she got from the show.

"I'm just absolutely thoroughly amazed," Zeller said the day after the episode aired. "They were in town for two days interviewing every day, and I had no idea I was going to be the whole show."

Originally from Lancaster County, Pa., Zeller graduated from McCaskey High School, then spent two years in the Army. Later, she married and had four children.

In 1979, Zeller moved to Eureka Springs from the Chicago suburbs. She operated The Spa Shop for 32 years, creating "custom fragrances." She closed the store in 2010.

Zeller served 9½ years on the City Council, at different times. She twice ran for mayor.

At the age of 79, Zeller became a novelist. She wrote six novels and a nonfiction book titled Hidden History of Eureka Springs.

"Eurekans are a tight-knit group, accepting and tolerant," Zeller wrote on her website, joycezeller.com. "A safe haven for those who need a time-out from the reality of the world outside."

On her website, the author tried to explain her muse.

"Humans need each other. They need love. They yearn for it. That theme is repeated over and over in my books," wrote Zeller. "I go for deep characterization with a lot of plot. My people have problems, they're screwed up, they hurt, but they prevail with courage and more importantly, humor. I write in any genre, paranormal, women's lit, science fiction -- always with romance, some history, humor, and probably a cat or dog."

In her decade on the City Council, Zeller spoke her mind.

"She was one of our characters," said Berry. "A lot of times she'd have a different perspective. She'd always have some thoughtful comments. She really will be missed. She was a great contributor to the city."

Berry said the council can vote for someone to replace Zeller for the remainder of her term, which ends in January, or it can leave her seat open until then.

Alderman James DeVito said the council will likely vote to replace her.

"I don't think we would want to have the seat unfilled for six months," he said.

Berry said the city's insurance doesn't cover council members over the age of 80. He said a fund will be set up at Cornerstone Bank in Eureka Springs for anyone who wants to donate toward funeral expenses.

The funeral will be conducted by Nelson Funeral Service of Berryville, but details weren't available late Tuesday.

Metro on 06/15/2016

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