Joyce Hurtel Spagna

Joyce was born in New Orleans on July 29, 1934 to Mr. & Mrs. Edmund M. Hurtel. As a 30-plus year employee of Standard Supply & Hardware Company, Joyce displayed her strong work ethic and sense of responsibility. Relying on her strong Catholic faith, Joyce persevered through many trials earning the respect of many who knew her, especially her children.

Despite at times appearing mild mannered, Joyce was not afraid of a ruckus and could raise her voice and use colorful language that could make a sailor blush. The arguments she and her mother and sisters had are now fond memories for her children and grandchildren. In typical New Orleans fashion, Joyce and her mother and sisters could go from screaming at each other one minute, to kissing and hugging each other the next!

Although a hard worker, Joyce loved to dance, and dancing she did into her 80s. Her greatest dance partner was the love of her life, Joseph L. Spagna who she married in 1979. Together, they enjoyed many happy times entertaining family and friends, travelling and of course music and dancing. Together, they had a combined six children, 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren leaving a solid legacy behind.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Joseph, her parents and her sisters, Elsie H. Babin (Oscar) and Doris H. Doyle Vicari, her brother Edmund (Buddy) H. Hurtel, her grandson Jason M. Fortuna, great-grandson Dominic Osorio and nephew John J. Doyle.

Joyce is survived by her children and stepchildren, Kathleen V. DiMaggio, Alphonsus J. Fortuna, Stephen J. Vuljoin (Allison), Louis Spagna (Mary), JoAnn S. Marel and Jeanette S. Blueweiss, her brother Melvin H. Hurtel (Cindy) and 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Also survived by a niece Cindy D. Durbin (Chris) and nephew Frank Doyle (Karen) and their respective children and grandchildren, and by former son and daughters-in-law John F. DiMaggio, Lin Taylor and Monique Spagna, whom she loved deeply.

Special thanks to Rhonda Swazer, Joyce’s caregiver, who became a part of our family with her loving care, Rhonda’s employer Always Best Care, and PACE Baton Rouge and its many staff people whose skills and tender holistic care were a true blessing.