Joycelyn Schell Hurley

Joycelyn Schell Hurley, a native of New Orleans, La., formerly of Wilton, Ct., and longtime resident of New Orleans, LA., recently passed away at her residence in Kenner, LA. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Philip and Lucille LeBreton Schell, New Orleans, LA; brother-in-laws, John Joseph “ Jack” Hurley [ Evelyn ] Washington, DC., and Christopher Meister [ Joan Schell, Buena Vista, Ark.]. She is survived by her beloved husband, Dan Hurley, who met as Freshmen in college in 1947 and married five years later after they had completed their undergraduate studies in 1951; her two sons: Grady Schell [Toni] and Timothy Patrick [Trudy] Hurley; eight grandchildren: Joshua Lawrence, Benjamin Patrick [ Emily], Mary Elizabeth “ Beth” Prejean [ Cary ]; Jack Patrick; Sam Daniel, William Joseph, John Schell, Elizabeth “Ellie“ Grace Hurley; two great grandchildren: August Daniel and Beau Cash Hurley; and, several nieces and nephews.

Joycelyn graduated from Capdeau Elementary School, St Joseph Academy where she was an honor student and played Women’s Basketball, and, subsequently received a Bachelor of Science Degree from St Mary Dominican College, New Orleans, LA, in 1951. While an undergraduate at Dominican College, Joycelyn reigned as “Sweetheart of Sigma Pi”, Tulane’s Fraternity Chapter at its 1950 Spring Semester Formal Ball. Upon graduation from St. Mary Dominican College, Joycelyn received her Louisiana State Elementary School Certification and License, taught for several years in the Orleans Parish School System, and, at a private school in Brooklyn, NY, until she forsook a full time teaching career to devote more time to Family and Community interests. Joycelyn was an avid reader, enjoyed painting in the various art disciplines, and in crafting artful memorabilia that were distributed to attendees at several Tulane Football Banquets. She also enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, and was a member of several local garden clubs. Joycelyn particularly enjoyed cooking, hosting dinners for the Family during the Holidays, and, particularly when her grandchildren frequently visited. Joycelyn also looked forward to the Family’s Annual Summer Road Trips, and with her grandchildren in later years, visiting various National Historic Sites and Forums, Out- of- Town Family, visiting several entertainment venues, and vacationing at favorite ocean side and other resorts located throughout the United State and Canada, as well as attending the plethora of athletic and other activities that her children and grandchildren were participants. As service to the community, Joycelyn was a member of the Pines Village and Digby Playground Booster Clubs, the Junior League of New Orleans, the Pines Village Civic and Ponchartrain Shores Civic Associations, several local garden clubs, and helped organize and served as Co – Director, IHOM CYO Program. She also served as President of the Ray Abrams Elementary School PTA for several years, and on the Boards of the Cor Jesus and Brother Martin PTA, and the Gregory Junior High, PTA. She also served as a Board Member of the original Tulane Green Wave Club, helped organize and was a long time member of the Tulane Association of Ladies Who Kare [TALK] whose mission was to support the Tulane Athletics Program.

In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to make a donation in Joycelyn’s memory to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, <stjudes.org >, or, the Shriner Children’s Hospital < loveshriners.org>.

A private Family Memorial Service and Inurnment will be held at All Saints Mausoleum, Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA, on December, 23, 2019.

Friends may wish to visit and sign the guestbook on line at Metairie.com>.