Joyce Klar

Joyce Westbrook Klar, 94-year-old resident of San Antonio, died peacefully in her sleep at home on Sunday, June 11, 2023. She was born to Loyd Elmor Westbrook and Esther Otillia Henrietta Haller Westbrook.

She lived a long, full, blessed life. She was well-loved for her innocence, humility and kindness. We will miss her sweetness, gentility, elegance and the prime example that she was of all of those characteristics.

Joyce was raised in the Collins Gardens neighborhood on Taft Blvd. Her father worked at one of San Antonio’s first automotive businesses, the family-owned Westbrook Carburetor. Her mother took care of the four children, home and gardens, and volunteered at church and for the Red Cross during WWII.

In the early 1930s, the family did not have a car so they attended the only church they could walk to -Harriman Place Christian Church. Joyce graduated from Brackenridge High School and worked at Joske’s department store from 1947-1950.

Joyce was introduced to Roland E Klar Jr by a cousin and classmate. She caught a glimpse of Roland proudly displaying the deer he had shot, and agreed to a double date. A spot for frequent dates was the Bun and Barrel hamburger stand which still exists today on New Braunfels Avenue. Joyce and Roland found an endearing companionship and love in each other and were married September 2, 1948.

Joyce got a taste of being an Army wife when Roland served in the Army of Occupation and they lived in Kenbridge, Virginia and then again when he was called back to serve in the Korean conflict and they lived in Dothan, Alabama until 1952.

Joyce and Roland lived on Woodlawn Avenue for 13 years as they welcomed their four daughters. In 1965, they moved to a larger home in the Alamo Farmstead area that was considered “the sticks” in those days. Just like her own mother, Joyce loved “digging in the dirt” and she found great joy in cultivating vegetable and flower gardens.

Joyce and Roland were committed to offering their four daughters advanced educational opportunities and so Joyce took a job in the credit department at the Sears store at the newly built Central Park Mall from 1968 to 1978.

One day she overheard that the Hallmark store at Ingram Park Mall was looking for help. After thinking about it, she applied. She worked at Frey’s Hallmark for 11 years where she made lasting friends who gathered for annual lunches for several years.By this time, Roland had retired from the Texas Department of Transportation and together, Joyce and Roland volunteered at the Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital as Bluebirds. Joyce was naturally in charge of the gift shop for eight years.

The family attended Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. She supported the church with her unfailing attendance, as Sunday school teacher and Bible school coordinator. She volunteered to clean the church and to run the day care center. She brought food to every occasion, sponsored children on the Angel tree and brought whatever items were needed for any event.With all the kids grown, Joyce and Roland bought 100 acres in Mountain Home, Texas to enjoy as their hill country home for yet more gardening and deer hunting. The highlight of a visit there is relaxing on the porch rocking chairs with a cool breeze coming up from the valley.

Roland passed away in 2011. Joyce took solace in her daughters and grandchildren and kept the family moving forward. She acquired a sweet, funny looking black dog from the San Antonio Humane Society and Jingles became the newest member of the family. For many years, she attended a monthly lunch with her Brackenridge high school buddies. She was up for trips to Austin and Ft. Worth, Mo Ranch, the coast, family reunions, and she rarely missed church.

Even in the last few months as she was helped by nurses, she was ever the sweet, kind person who thanked caregivers for even the smallest gestures.

In 2019, to her great sorrow, Joyce’s eldest daughter, Debbie Klar Johnson, passed. Joyce is survived by her daughters Amy Lazar (Jerry), Floy Klar Melzow, Linda Rose Klar (Joe Reynolds). Her grandchildren include Jillanne Johnson (Christopher), Westbrook Johnson (Akemi Nozaki), Adam Lazar (Jenn), Brian Lazar (Jamie), Christopher Lazar (Sara) and Laura Floy Melzow. Joyce also welcomed with open arms George Reynolds, Andrea Dowdy, Michael Melzow, Alicia Melzow and Aiden Munoz into the family.Joyce’s great-grandchildren are Corban Johnson, Callan Johnson, Nolan Lazar, Brynn Lazar, Blake Lazar.

Joyce loved flowers but they are ephemeral. She was dedicated to her beloved church and we ask that any memorial contributions be made to Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00pm., Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

CELEBRATION OF LIFESUNDAY, JUNE 18, 20233:00 PMFOREST HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH13200 BANDERA RDHELOTES, TX

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.