My brother, Mel and I would love to write about the many stories our Mother told to us regarding growing up in the beautiful San Luis Rey Valley where she was born. But that may be a book in the making.
Joyce’s parents, Helen Foussat and Salvador Carranza both from pioneer families of the San Luis Rey valley and the surrounding communities. Most of her childhood was spent at her Grandfather (Faustino Foussat) and Grandmother’s (Frances Munoa) farm with her 10 aunts. Every day was an adventure feeding the livestock, chickens and playing in the fields of tomatoes and corn. As she got older, she joined her aunts helping harvest the produce and doing chores before she and others walked to the San Luis Rey Mission to attend school (Little Flower Academy). Joyce also attended the Libby school and graduated from Oceanside High School “Pirates” class of 1947.
Joyce enjoyed playing near the San Luis Rey river with the water flowing and as she got older, Joyce loved to ride horseback with her dear friend, Virginia Barrett Gomez. Both would ride up and down the river to Bonsall and back. Later Mom traded in the horses to riding motorcycles with her then husband, Joseph E. Vernon. She enjoyed riding with friends up to Palomar Mountain and the surrounding areas. An accident stopped her motorcycle riding but another journey had begun. Mom and Dad started a family (Mel and I) and as a family we traveled throughout the state(s) of California, Arizona and New Mexico.
Joyce loved to sing country western songs, favorite western singer: Willie Nelson. Plus boy could she yodel! She would sing along with the songs on the radio as we traveled. Her favorite song was “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. Mom also enjoyed painting and drawing. Her favorite color was yellow.
When Mom decided to settle in Escondido, Mom went to work at Kearfott Industries located in San Marcos. Joyce retired after 23 years as a Senior Inspector. She was proud to have worked on NASA and top military planes and helicopters. After retiring, Mom spent a lot of time with her mother, traveling to visit relatives and enjoying holidays at her sister’s Betty Jane Valenzuela home with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She enjoyed spending time with her sister, Betty and family going to Las Vegas for the National Pro Rodeo Finals, attending shows with her Mother and aunt and uncle (Frank and Josie) seeing Engleburt Humperdinck and hitting the slots. Joyce also traveled with friends to Minnesota, Wyoming to visit the National Monuments.
Mom enjoyed going to the Del Mar Races with friends and family always betting on numbers: 7, 3, and 5. she enjoyed watching the Padres and Chargers whether the teams were losing or winning. Tennis was another game she watched especially the Opens’. Favorite player, Rafael Nadal. She also enjoyed watching western movies new or old and favorite actor, John Wayne.
Mom was the number “one” fan of Mel throughout his career. She would traveled to Arizona to watch him perform with the band “Collection” and also when he would be performing at Del Mar Fair and the “Winner Circle” lounge.
Joyce was an active member of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians. Joyce worked with her Grandfather in the 1960’s and continued helping members regarding history and to be proud of our Native American Heritage.
Mom gave so much of herself to others: being a mother, a grandmother to many of our friends. So full of energy and smiles for those that she met. She will be greatly missed.
Surviving family are: Diania L. Caudell, daughter, Mel Vernon, son, of Escondido. J. Duane Caudell, grandson, (wife Mandy) Irena Caudell Hall, granddaughter, (husband Bryan) David Young, grandson, Rachel Hall, great granddaughter and Elyse Hall, great granddaughter. Also surviving her nephew, Paul J. Valenzuela and her brother-in-law, Paul N. Valenzuela, all of San Juan Capistrano.
Joyce also has an Aunt, Alice Foussat Yorba, (90 yrs.) who Mom grew up with from San Juan Capistrano. And many, many relatives.
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