Funeral Services will be held at Temple Israel, 1617 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, Georgia, with Rabbi Laurence Schlesinger officiating on Monday, December 15 at 1:00 pm.
Born August 23, 1930 in LaFayette, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Robert Gibson Weaver and Carrie Belcher Weaver, lived in Columbus most of her life, and graduated magna cum laude from Columbus College.
After graduation, she taught at Baker High School, and later worked as the Assistant Administrator at Oak and Pine Manor Health Care Facilities, and as Director of the American Heart Association, Muscogee County Division.
She was a dedicated volunteer and leader in the American Heart Association, Muscogee County Division and received the Bronze, Silver and Gold Medallions for meritorious service. She was the first woman President of the Division, and the first female honoree at the 1993 Annual Heart Ball. She served on the steering committee that organized the Columbus Hospice, assisted in setting up the Alzheimer's Association as well as the Oak and Pine Manor Auxiliary. Additionally, she served as President of the Soroptimist International Club of Columbus and received their Woman of Distinction Award in 1992. She received the Ruth Schwob Service-to-Mankind Award from the Gracious Ladies of Georgia in 1999 for outstanding voluntary community service. Some of her other numerous volunteer positions included: The Columbus Symphony, the Columbus Museum, and the Schwob School of Music Patrons of Music Steering Committee. She served as Chairman of the School of Music Orpheus Ball for two years.
A member of Temple Israel, she served for many years on the Board of Trustees, and was President of the Jewish Ladies Aid Society.
Joyce was a wonderful cook, an avid bridge player, and a voracious reader who organized the Literary Women of Columbus Book Club. She loved to travel, beginning with her honeymoon trip to Cuba , and followed by visits to many countries, including: Italy, France, Spain, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, and Scotland.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Herbert Wise Fingerhut, Sr; three brothers: Robert Durell Weaver, Calvin Coolidge Weaver and Howard Edward Weaver; and four sisters: Dell Weaver McCarley, Gladys Weaver Callahan, Doris Weaver Pledger and Thelma Weaver Pool.
Survivors include her daughter, Debra Fingerhut Bush (Dr. Robert) of Columbus; her son, Dr. Herbert Wise Fingerhut, Jr. (Dr. Amy Kesselman) of McLean, VA; four grandchildren: Robert Andrew Bush (Gabriella) of Wake Forest, NC; Dr. William Brian Bush (Brittany) of Knoxville, TN; Alexandra Fingerhut and Zachary Fingerhut of McLean, VA; three great-grandchildren who loved calling her Gigi: Robbie and Leo Bush of Wake Forest, NC and Will Bush of Knoxville, TN; and numerous nieces and nephews, especially Bobby McCarley, of Columbus, GA, whom she considered to be more like a brother.
The family expresses deepest gratitude to the kind staff at Spring Harbor, who shared their expertise, care, compassion and friendship while spending these last years with our mother; as well as to special caregiver, Stephanie Smith.
The family gratefully requests (in lieu of flowers) that donations be made to: The Schwob School of Music, Violin Department, at Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus GA. 31907; the Employee Gift Fund at Spring Harbor, 100 Spring Harbor Drive, Columbus, GA. 31904; or Columbus Hospice of Georgia & Alabama, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA. 31909.
