Joyce Curry McLeod, age 79, of Longwood, FL passed away, July 2, 2020, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born on August 26, 1940 in Memphis, Tennessee to Clinton and Aneva Curry. She married the love of her life, John McLeod, November of 1960, sharing 59 happy years with him and raising two sons, Jonathan and Jeffrey.
Joyce was a rare soul with a brilliant mind that touched everyone she met. She was a strong woman, direct, but very sweet. A teacher to her core, she always invested time in those around her and was an incredible mentor to many. Joyce never met a challenge she wouldn’t accept, and she had a fierce love for her family and friends, but especially her grandchildren. She was a concert pianist and a phenomenal cook, a skill greatly appreciated by her husband, sons, family and guests.
With a passion for teaching, Joyce dedicated her life to education. She held a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida, a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision, and a Specialist in Education from Rollins College. Joyce started her career as a 3rd grade teacher but aspired to have even broader impact. She found a calling in publishing where she focused on training teachers in how to use brain development to match instructional strategies to the curriculum and to the learning style of students, revolutionizing curriculum development and greatly improving student performance.
Joyce spoke nationally and internationally as a consultant on issues in mathematics and science education as well as in writing and delivering professional development in mathematics. She was an author of Harcourt Science (2002), Math Advantage (1999), and Harcourt Math (2002), published by Harcourt School Publishers. Prior to her retirement from Harcourt School Publishers, she worked as senior vice president and editor-in-chief of Harcourt’s mathematics, science, and health division and as senior consultant in mathematics, science, and health. As a Visiting Professor in the School of Education and Human Development at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, Joyce taught courses in the Master of Arts teaching program, as well as courses in classroom management, cognitive development, and mathematics content for elementary and middle-school teachers.
Joyce was the 1991 and 2001 recipient of the Natalie Delcamp Award for Excellence in Teaching at Rollins. She also received the 1995 University of Central Florida Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award, presented by the College of Education. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate in Teacher Education awarded by Rollins College. Joyce was on the Board of Directors for the Orlando Science Center.
Joyce is survived by her husband, John, and her sons, Jonathan (Christine) and Jeffrey; grandchildren Nichole, Matthew, Katie, Alexander, and Sarah. She also survived by her sister, Charlotte Miller, and brothers, Clint (Pat) Curry, and Chris (Pam) Curry.
The viewing will be Sunday, July 12th, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Baldwin Fairchild at Oaklawn Park Cemetery, 5000 County Road 46A, Lake Mary, FL 32764. A service celebrating her life will be held at the same location at 11:00 am, Monday July 13th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Friends and family may view a live stream of the service by visiting www.facebook.com\oaklawnmemorialpark
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