(Born: August 28, 1928—December 20, 2023)
“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure…you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.”—Renee Wood
Cecile and I, and Jason were in Maui when she received a call on Wednesday, Dec 20 from her cousin Jeff Berger that his mother Joyce had passed away. She was 95. It has been said that the spring of generosity never runs dry for the person who willingly gives from the heart. This describes Joyce to a T. When Cecile and I first moved to San Jose, California in 1975, it was Joyce and her late husband Bill Berger who helped us find our footing when we were looking for a place to live and open my Podiatric Medical and Minimally Invasive Foot Surgical Practice. They referred us to a friend who was a realtor in our area that found us the perfect spot in an old neighborhood near the Municipal Rose Garden district. In the early years we would drive up to Sacramento to visit Joyce and Bill and their son Jeff. They invited us to stay at their home, and whenever we went out to eat lunch or dinner, they always picked up the tab. They wouldn’t have it any other way. Sometime later when she was still mourning Bill’s death, we invited her to join us in London and Rome. We had the most amazing and memorable time.
Throughout the years we became aware how Joyce helped many members of her family who fell on hard times or who had endured some setbacks in life. She was generous to a fault, but the truth is there is no fault in having a generous heart. Her first impulse is to give whether it be to her community, her synagogue, friends and family alike.
Five years ago, we were invited by Jeff to attend Joyce’s 90th Birthday party that was preceded by a ceremonial blessing (Kiddush) at the Mosaic Law Congregation. Rabbi Reuven Taff, the spiritual leader of the Conservative Temple led a vibrant, uplifting service, sprinkled with humor, warmth, love, scholarly readings and Hebrew chanting. Taff had trained at the Theological Seminary in NYC, and received his B.S. degree in Religious Studies from California State University (Northridge), pursued his rabbinical studies in Israel where he was ordained in 1988. And, last but not least, inn 1999 he was honored by President George H.W. Bush to preside over and conduct the first annual White House Chanukah Celebration with the President, Vice President and their families. Joyce adored her rabbi and the feeling was mutual.
There was an informal luncheon for about 200 congregants and family members following the service sponsored by Joyce’s son and family. Afterwards, we were invited to Joyce’s home for dinner along with some of her friends, neighbors, and other family members who came in from Northern and Southern California, Detroit, MI, Chicago and Macedonia.
Some of the photos include Joyce with Cecile and I, Joyce with her beloved granddaughter, Ari and various family members who I have come to know and love. I spent many a Thanksgiving with them over the years while attending Podiatric Medical School in Chicago. Marrying into a Jewish family has been a blessing. From one Virgo to another (Joyce's and my birthdays were two days apart and we either called or sent birthday cards to one another), thank you! Cecile and I will never forget your loving generosity. Heartfelt condolences to Jeff and the family including Joyce’s surviving sister Ruby Conway. May her memory be a blessing to all.
