Joyce E Foster

October 17, 1927 – May 12, 2025

Joyce was born on October 17, 1927, in Devon Manchester, Jamaica W.I. to Violet Bourne Cox and Ralph Bourne. Joyce attended Devon Primary School where she excelled in her classes. Joyce developed a passion for sewing in her teens when her mother, who was an expert dressmaker, taught her to sew. Joyce honed her craft and became a talented seamstress making beautiful clothes for family and friends. Despite being a busy entrepreneur, Joyce took the time to mentor young ladies in her home by teaching them the skills of her craft. Many of them went on to become skillful seamstresses including her younger sister and cousin who also achieved their passion for making gorgeous clothing.

She was very devoted to her Church, Devon Missionary Alliance, where she sang in the choir, helped with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and always attended prayer meetings. Joyce met and fell in love with Martin Foster as a young adult and they married on July 28, 1950. After receiving support from a family member, Joyce agreed to apply for a skill’s test visa in dressmaking. Upon receiving the visa in 1969, Joyce migrated to the United States where she worked hard to ensure that her family could join her shortly as she cared for various patients in their homes, and she was successful when she reunited with her husband in 1970; her daughter, Patricia later joined them in 1971.

While continuing to sew in her spare time, Joyce pursued her career as a healthcare service provider where she devotedly cared for patients as a nurse’s aide working with various agencies. Later, Joyce joined French and Polyclinic Hospital in Manhattan where she worked for up to 5 years before moving to New Jersey in 1975. The family bought a home in Irvington, New Jersey to be near friends. Joyce continued working as a nurse’s aide at St. Michaels Hospital in Newark New Jersey from 1975 to 1983 before leaving her job to temporarily care for her sick mother in South Florida. After her mother passed in 1984, Joyce and Martin decided to relocate to South Florida to enjoy the warmer climate and be closer to family. Joyce went on to work as a caregiver where she took excellent care of elderly patients in their homes or nursing home depending on the case until she retired at age 75. Not surprisingly, Joyce continued to sew and/or alter clothes for family and friends. She is a true testament to the saying “enjoying what you do.”

When Joyce moved to North Miami Beach, she joined Ives Dairy Road Baptist Church where she was a faithful member. Joyce was a devoted member in the Sunday School program with Charlotte Budwah. Though Joyce relocated to Orlando, FL she remained a loyal member of her church until her death.

Joyce is lovingly remembered by her daughters Patricia and Greta (Gem), sisters: Sheila, Barbara, Bloom, Maureen and Denise; brothers: Raymond, Rupert and Woodrow; grandchildren - Trisha and Ethan, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Martin, parents - Violet Bourne Cox and Ralph Bourne, daughter – Maxine (Precious), sisters - Norma, Pauline, and Joan, brothers – Kenneth, Derrick and Eatel (Jack).