Joyce Alawayne Catalfamo

Joyce was born on Oct 21, 1938 to Rodney James and Loretta Josephine Carter Munchiando in Idaho Springs, CO. The family moved to California in 1950, settling in Imperial Beach in 1953, and Joyce graduated Valedictorian of Mar Vista High School, Class of 1956. She got a Clerk Typist job at the nearby Navy Base, where she met her husband to be. Joyce’s father had always told her to never bring a Sailor home, but the first and only man she brought home to meet her parents was….a Navy Sailor! Joyce married James Michael Catalfamo on June 8, 1957 and they had daughter Debbie in 1958, daughter Michele in 1960, and son Lynn James in 1962.

Joyce and Jim and their children moved all over the world during Jim’s Navy career, living in Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, California, France, Belgium, Virginia, Belgium (again), California (again), Arizona, California (again) and finally Arizona (again). Once Jim retired from the Navy, Joyce started her own successful career in Federal Service as a Federal Buildings Manager and then in private industry rising to the position of Assistant Vice President of Corporate Real Estate for Fireman’s Fund in California. Joyce and Jim continued to travel the world, with cruises to the Orient, the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Rhine River, the Mediterranean, and the Hawaiian Islands.

Joyce was an accomplished seamstress and Quilter, she made wonderful meals for family and friends, she was intelligent, well-read and well-travelled. She loved to dance! She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed a very successful career before retiring in 1999, but she always said that the one thing she was most proud of during her life was the family that she and Jim created – she loved to see it grow with spouses, grandchildren, and then great grandchildren.

Joyce spent her final years at Park Villas Houghton Memory Care. The family wishes to convey their heartfelt thanks to her caregivers who are angels on earth. You cared for our mother as if she was your own, with dignity and love.

Joyce is survived by her children Debbie (Marty) Martin, Michele (David) White, and Lynn (Cynthia) Catalfamo; her grandchildren Crystal (Mike) Elefante, Steven (Beckie) Gillis, Melissa (Kyle) Kennedy, Collin Catalfamo, Danielle La Freniere, Nick Catalfamo and Zane White; her great grandchildren Derek, Addison, Ethan, Joseph, and Quinn; her sister Janice (Larry) Chase; her brother Jim (Sharon) Munchiando; her sister-in-law Tina Catalfamo; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Jim; brothers-in-law Rocky, Sonny, Nick, Joe, Frank; sisters-in-law Mamie, Anne, and Helen.

Mom, we know you are joyfully reunited with Dad, free from the pain and confusion of dementia, and finally at peace. We love you and we will miss you, but we know you are in a better place. We rejoice in knowing that you and Dad are dancing and watching over this wonderful family that you created, while safe in the loving hands of God.

A Memorial Service is planned for August 14, 2021 at 12:30 pm, East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85712.