Florence Helen Joeckel

Florence, daughter of Helen and the late Walter Potok, was born on November 24th, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Temple University with a Math Education degree. She married her husband of 44 years, Carl Thomas Joeckel, on Sep 9, 1967 in Philadelphia.

She was a devoted wife and mother, and raised her children with great love and care. She was a volunteer in the school, scouts, and community activities.

She was proud of her Polish heritage, and used her exceptional cooking skills to good effect when she traditionally had the entire family over to the house to celebrate Wigilia (Christmas Eve dinner, including Polish favorites like kielbasa, pierogies, and chruscikis).

She particularly liked to socialize with her many cousins, and for over twenty years met with them on Memorial Day and during Christmas week.

She raised her family in the Philadelphia and Boston areas until 1996 when she and her husband moved to Holly Springs. There, she found a welcoming community and a large number of exceptional and supportive friends. She took great joy in a round of golf, a night of bridge, discussions in her book club, or just spending time with her family and friends. Her creative side was beautifully expressed through the intricate quilts she created, many of which were donated to charity, or are proudly displayed in the homes of loved ones.

Florence was, at heart, a loving person of great honesty and integrity. She had inspiring courage, and waged a thirteen year battle with multiple cancers using spirit, joy, and an unquenchable love of life. She was never heard to complain though all the treatments, instead, focusing on enjoying every day that she was given.

Florence is survived by her husband and two sons, Carl Walter Joeckel (Leanne) and Jeffrey Peter Joeckel (Eleanor), her two brothers, Walter Potok (Irene) and Andrew Potok (MaryAnne), and her sister Julia Jane Bandholz (Robert).

A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, June 26 at 11:00 AM at St. Bernadette Church, 1005 Wilbon Road in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. The family will be available at the church from 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be contributed to the Pretty In Pink Foundation, Inc., 2501 Blue Ridge Road, Suite #250, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls Scholarship Fund,1000 West Lycoming Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140-2199.

The family would especially like to thank the superb staff of Rex Hospital, and especially Dr. Elizabeth Campbell and Eileen Capel, for their excellent care, cheerfulness and personal touch during her long battle.

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynneCary.com