Joyce Ann Heckman, 38, passed from this life on to the next on Wednesday July 24, 2019 in Dallas, TX of metastatic breast cancer less than a month after her husband Aaron Rapport, 38, sadly also died battling cancer.
Joyce was born on December 20, 1980 in Dalhart, TX to Paul and Irene Heckman. She was raised in Dalhart, graduating fourth in her class from Dalhart High School in 1999, excelling in both academics and athletics. She attended Texas Christian University in Ft Worth TX receiving a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising with a business minor. Joyce then went to UC/Davis in California where she was a teaching and research assistant, earning her Masters Degree in Textiles in 2005. Joyce earned her PhD in 2013 from the Univ. of Minnesota College of Apparel and Design while serving as a teaching assistant. Most importantly, she met her soulmate Aaron Rapport. Joyce and Aaron were married in Minneapolis on July 5, 2009, in a beautiful rooftop ceremony overlooking the Mississippi River and downtown skyline. During their marriage they lived in Boston, Atlanta, where Joyce taught at the Art Institute of Atlanta, and finally Cambridge, England where Joyce began as an assistant director of the Cambridge University Office of Scholarly Communication, eventually working on special projects for the department. Joyce and Aaron shared a love of learning and teaching and also of travel. They explored the UK and much of Europe while living in England. Scotland’s Isle of Skye became a wonderfully magical spot for them.
Joyce is survived by her parents Paul and Irene Heckman of TX, her siblings and their spouses, Mark and Francine Heckman of Canyon, TX, Dennis and Faith Heckman of Flower Mound, TX, Connie and Nick Salas of Dalhart, TX, and Larry and Amy Heckman of Rosenberg, TX. She was a loving aunt to Jessica and Andy Heckman, Hailey Ball, Whitney, Stephen, Valerie, and Nicholas Salas, and Paul and Sydney Heckman. Joyce was also deeply loved by many friends from all over the world.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 17, 2019 at 2pm at the Sparkman Richardson Funeral Home located at 1029 S Greenville Ave Richardson, TX 75081.
Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.
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