Joyce B. Weiss

Joyce Aline Bayer Weiss, 89, passed away November 6, 2012. Born in New York City in 1923 she graduated with a BFA from Hunter College where she made many life-long friends. She attended Radcliffe for her Naval Paymaster certification and then served as a WAVE in World War II. During the war the petite brunette was sometimes teasingly referred to as, "Pistol-Packing Mama" because when she delivered the payroll, she carried a pistol that she had only learned to clean, not shoot.

Always an artist, she painted oils, water colors, pastels and screen sets and was an active volunteer at the Bergen County Players, a well-known off-Broadway theatre and with the local chapter of Hadassah near her home in New Jersey. In 2001 she escaped the snow and moved to St. Augustine, Florida where she spent five years of active senior living at the Glenmoor community enjoying the company of friends and family, the theatre, concerts, restaurants, and museums.

In the face of many challenges throughout her life, she always had an optimistic attitude and looked forward to each day with enthusiasm. She was intelligent and interested in society, casting her last vote during this year’s presidential election. Joyce’s last two years were spent at the Carillon where she enjoyed her beautiful, sunny apartment, the company of her cat, and many outings with the friends she made there. To the end, she was an active volunteer, serving on several Carillon committees.

She is survived by her son, Jim Weiss (Tuni) of St. Augustine, Florida, and daughters, Jill Lester (Mark Johnson) of Boulder, CO, and Jennifer Mandelbaum (Eric) of Stow, MA, seven grandchildren and three great grand-children. She was pre-deceased by her husband, James, and her son, Jonathan.

We all miss our frequent chats with her, were sad she could not join us at the recent wedding and as she said, she will miss the weddings and her grandchildren. We thank both Dignity Care and Family Hospice for their kind care. We wish Mom well in the Radiance.

Memorial services were held in her honor in the month of November, along with a private burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hawthorne, New York. Donations may be made in her name at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, Family Hospice, or your favorite charity.