Joyce Holly Harvey

In the early afternoon of September 1, 2023, the world dimmed a little as Joyce Holly Harvey (née Marquart), went to be with the lord. Born on February 10, 1959, in Bottineau, North Dakota, she was the fourth of five children to Laura Alice Lang and Joseph James Marquart VI; Jerry Marquart (Cindy), Rhonda (Bill Brown), Jim Marquart (Penny), Jolene (Miles Cahoon). She was survived by her devoted husband, Danny Melvin Harvey, and her loving children, James Michael Essex, Ashley Harvey Hannon, and Katelyn Holloway Harvey, Son-in-law Sean Michael Hannon, Daughter-in-law Cornelia Elizabeth Lane Essex, and first grandchild Henry James Essex. She was the dynamic President and CEO of The Harvey Group, Inc., but those titles could never capture the totality of the woman. Joyce was a sunbeam personified, a matriarch, a steadfast friend, a community builder, and so much more.

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Early Life & Education:

Raised on a family farm in Driscoll, North Dakota, Joyce grew up with a keen understanding of the values of hard work, family, and friendship. Among the lifelong friendships she formed at an early age was her treasured relationship with Gail Thompson Harpole. At age 14, Joyce moved to Bismarck where she attended Century High School. A natural athlete, she competed fiercely in Track and Field and graduated in 1977 with honors.

Leaving behind North Dakota's icy winters at age 18, Joyce relocated to Los Angeles. What might have seemed like a whim was, in reality, Joyce's first giant leap towards a life less ordinary.

At California State University, Northridge, she juggled academics, a full-time job at Hamburger Hamlet, and her first pregnancy. Joyce wasn't just any waitress; she stood out even in this role. With her flair for leadership and incredible work ethic, she was often entrusted with training new managers, despite being in a job title below them. The restaurant recognized her innate ability to teach, guide, and inspire.

In 1985, her life took another transformative turn. Joyce gave birth to her son, James Michael Essex, with David Stephen Essex. Exhibiting her characteristic resilience and determination, her labor lasted just 3 hours and 48 minutes. True to form, Joyce was keen to return to work within the week, balancing motherhood and career with the same grace and fortitude that she applied to everything in her life. This set a lifelong pattern: Joyce didn't just do things; she excelled at them.

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A Flourishing Career:

It was at a Hamburger Hamlet bar where a customer and friend named Garry saw Joyce's potential and nudged her towards real estate. In her first year she was awarded "New Listing Agent of The Year" in 1987.

But it was her meeting with Danny Melvin Harvey in Palm Springs, CA in 1997 that both her personal and professional life found new meaning. The couple married on November 26, 1999, uniting not just two hearts but two families. Joyce became the loving mother to Ashley Harvey Hannon and Katelyn Holloway Harvey, adding to her and Danny's already impressive legacy.

Joyce and Danny became a force to be reckoned with in the real estate industry. The duo became not just life partners but an indomitable force in the real estate world, commanding both love and respect in equal measure.

Joyce’s insatiable drive for success catapulted her into the ranks of Coldwell Banker's International President’s Premier and Society of Excellence, placing her in the top 1% of real estate agents internationally. In her 30-year career, she managed to close more than $1 Billion in sales in just the last 10 years alone. Joyce took great pride in her numbers and rankings, but her distinction lay in the grace and humility with which she carried them. Always classy, she viewed her achievements not as pedestals but as platforms from which she could lift others to the high bar she set for herself and others in the industry. Joyce lived and breathed competition, which was fuel that drove her professional engine.

As a member of the Architectural Division of Coldwell Banker International and a Certified Negotiator Specialist, Joyce commanded respect across multiple dimensions of the real estate sector. The Essex & Harvey team led by her consistently ranked in the top 3 teams nationally for Coldwell Banker, marking them as standard-bearers for excellence. Her formidable skills were further exemplified when she closed one of the most expensive real estate sales in the US, a property in prime Holmby Hills going for close to $60 million.

Beyond her day-to-day business, Joyce made significant contributions to the industry as a whole. She was a regular feature on the National Speaking tour for Real Estate Professionals, sharing her experience, skills, and insights with up-and-coming agents across the country. Her voice in these forums was not just heard; it was eagerly anticipated and highly respected.

This was a woman whose name was synonymous with real estate success, a titan who viewed each sale not just as a transaction but as another challenge conquered. To Joyce, the world of real estate wasn’t just an industry; it was a field of endless competition and boundless opportunity, and she was its ardent player until the very end.

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A Life On The Green and "Queen of Harv's" at the Card Table:

If the real estate world knew Joyce as a titan, then the greens and fairways of Bel-Air Country Club knew her as a fierce competitor and a beloved fixture. Joyce's love for golf was not just a hobby; it was a manifestation of her competitive spirit and her ability to form lasting friendships.

Joyce held key positions at the club, chairing the Under 16 and Friendship Cup, and even clinched the women's club championship in 2014. With her trusted partner, Suzanne Bonafede, she won the Pat MacCallum Cup eight times.

But Joyce's love for competition didn't end on the 18th hole. After a long day of walking the course, she'd head straight to the Bel-Air dining room clubhouse, where she would engage in spirited rounds of Canasta and Mahjong with the ladies of Bel-Air, sometimes for another three hours. These games were more than just a pastime for Joyce; they were a chance to share laughs, create memories, and yes, enjoy the thrill of a well-played hand.

Beyond the boundaries of Bel-Air, Joyce and Danny adventures continued traveling the world with golf clubs in tow. Whether it was the rolling greens of Scotland or the luxurious courses of Ireland, they shared their love for the sport, and for each other, on an international stage.

One of the most touching facets of Joyce's life was her dream home in Indian Wells Country Club, California. Joyce and Danny used to visit a specific spot of land by a beautiful mountainside on the 5th hole of the Indian Wells Golf Course. They would dance together there, listening to music from their golf cart late into the evening. In 2010, that dream plot of land went up for sale, and they seized the opportunity to make their dream a reality. Not just content with buying the land, Joyce architected and built their dream home there, turning it into a sanctuary that represented their love and shared dreams. In accordance with her final wishes, part of her ashes will lay between that beloved golf course and the mountainside, making her a permanent part of the land that meant so much to her.

Remarkably, Joyce managed to cultivate multiple circles of friends, each a testament to her multifaceted personality. Whether it was her family in North Dakota, her professional network spanning across states, or her golfing community, Joyce made an indelible mark on people from all walks of life.

As one friend put it, Joyce's "upbeat attitude, fighting spirit, contagious smile, and warm personality" made her a magnet for goodwill and fond memories.

Here are just a few sentiments from those who had the privilege of sharing a round of golf or a hand of cards with Joyce:

- "She brought out the best in me, and for that, I will always be grateful."

- "I was so lucky to have my locker next to hers at Bel-Air. She will always be missed and remembered."

- "The hospitality, the golf, and the wine—always superb. Joyce knew how to make an evening special."

Whether fiercely defending her Pat MacCallum title or dancing the night away to the Rolling Stones, Joyce did it all with a sense of flair and grace that made it seem effortless. And that was her magic: Joyce made the difficult look easy, the mundane look exciting, and the impossible look achievable. She was, in the eyes of all who knew her, a true champion—in golf, in real estate, and in life.

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Faith and Family:

Joyce and Danny were pillars of strength in their Christian community, regularly attending services at Hope Lutheran Church and raising their children with the same faith-based values they held dear. Joyce’s spirituality was not just a personal belief but an active practice that extended to her larger community and family.

In 2022, Joyce embraced a new, joyous role—that of a grandmother to Henry James Essex. For Joyce, Henry was more than just her first grandchild; he was a blessing that added a new layer of purpose and meaning to her life. Despite her busy schedule, Joyce made it a point to spend quality time with Henry, cherishing each laugh, each hug, and each moment they shared. Her eyes would light up at the mere mention of his name, and it's safe to say that Henry adored his 'Grandma Joy' just as much.

A momentous occasion that held great significance for Joyce was Henry’s dedication ceremony on August 27, 2023. For Joyce, seeing her grandson dedicated by his parents, James and Cornelia, it was a continuation of a legacy she had cultivated with so much love and faith. To witness this act of spiritual commitment filled her with an indescribable sense of joy and accomplishment.

The impact of Joyce's faith and her unwavering love for her family will continue to be felt for generations to come. Her light shines not just in the accolades she achieved or the games she won, but in the love she gave, the faith she shared, and the family she cherished.

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A Lasting Legacy:

It's often said that the measure of one's life is not in the years lived, but in the lives touched. Joyce Holly Harvey was a living testament to this truth. From her humble beginnings to her towering successes; from the tranquility of the golf courses to the hustle and bustle of family gatherings. Joyce had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel seen, heard, and loved. Her departure leaves a void that words cannot adequately capture, yet her essence, a blend of hard work, love, faith, and boundless zest for life, will continue to be felt by everyone who had the privilege to know her.

She exits the stage of life with the grace that characterized her entire journey, leaving behind not just memories but a legacy, a legacy of love, kindness, and excellence. As we say our final goodbyes, it is with the comforting knowledge that her light will continue to shine bright in the hearts of all who loved her.

Rest in peace, Joyce Holly Harvey. Your love, wisdom, and invincible spirit will forever be our guiding star.