Joyce A. Haddad

On January 11, 2019, Joyce Abraham Haddad ended a long and hard-fought battle with a very cruel disease. Though it tried with all its might to erase the memories of her beautiful and well- lived life, it could not erase her gracious and loving spirit.

She is now in a much more peaceful place where there is no pain or suffering. She leaves behind her four children: Steve (Margaret), Charlie (Susan), Jameelie (Albert) and Andy (Michele). Grandchildren: Susie (Sean), Rebecca, Nicholas (Amy), Anthony, Eric (Betsy), Matthew, David, Aaron (Jamie), and Mark (Jessica). Great-grandchildren: Sarah, Spencer, Sophia, Charlie, Kate, Sam, Holly, Molly, and Abigail. Sisters-in-law, Sarah and Katy, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Tony; her parents, Charlie and Helani Abraham; her father-in-law, Abraham Haddad; her granddaughter, Mary (Beca); her sister, Edna Mike; and her brothers, Ed and Albert Abraham.

Born Georgie Joyce Abraham in Marshall, Texas in 1929, Joyce graduated from Marshall High School and went on to get her degree in business from Texas Women’s University. It was during that time that she met her soulmate, Tony, who was studying at Texas A&M. After they were married in 1950, they settled in El Paso where they took over Yandell Market from his father. For many years they worked together to raise a family and grow a business. Joyce took care of the front of the store, while Tony ran the market. With her relentless entrepreneurial spirit, she opened her own store, Ms. Tony’s Fashions, which she operated with Jameelie until the early 1990s. She then helped Tony and Steve at Music Systems until her retirement in 2007.

In addition to her business career, she was a loving caregiver to her father-in-law. She was a member of AAUW, treasurer of the Mesita PTA, and treasurer of the Ladies Society at St. George Orthodox Church. Her Sunday lunches were always delicious and lovingly prepared as a way to keep her family together. The annual New Year’s Day open house that she and Tony hosted will be remembered by many. There was always room for more friends at her table.

Although she will be remembered fondly for her baking and cooking, she was also an expert seamstress. She enjoyed handiwork like needlepoint, knitting and crocheting in her spare time, because as she would say, “Idle hands are the work of the devil.”

Many thanks to her caregivers: Rebeca, Pati, Angelica, and Rosa for their endless love and compassion. Thanks to her Hospice El Paso caregivers: Nurse Margie, Dr. Reeves and Lizette. Thanks to Father Joseph Abouid from St. George for his constant prayers and visits.

Though she was an angel here on earth, she is now officially one.

Pallbearers: Nicholas, Anthony and Eric Haddad, Susie Kelley, Rebecca Haddad, Aaron and Mark Haddad, Matthew and David Dayoub.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. George Orthodox Church, El Paso, or the charity of your choice.