Noemy (Fernandez) Joseph

When Noemy was a teenager she and her mother immigrated to America and thus began a new adventure into the unknown. At just 16 years old and speaking no English she came the New Orleans, LA, and worked various jobs to support and help her family make it in America. Around this time, she met a portrait studio owner who was looking for someone to help with taking portraits and painting photographs in their studio. Although she had no formal training she self-taught herself how to do this and became an apprentice at this studio. This would become a recurring theme in her life and where she would develop the spirit of a smart and tenacious survivor who worked hard to make a good life for herself and her family.

During this time in New Orleans Noemy married and welcomed her beloved daughter Julieta. Julieta brought much pride and joy to Noemy and remained her best friend throughout her life. By this time her mother had married and Julieta had a built-in playmate in Nomey's half-sister, Josie. Although Noemy's marriage did not last she describes her time as a young mother in New Orleans as a happy time.

Several years later she met the love of her life and beloved husband, Isaac Joseph. After moving to Lockport to begin their life together they welcomed their cherished sons Isaac Jr. and a few years later, Donovan. Her years in Lockport were happy times. While raising her family, Noemy also helped at Isaac's men's clothing store and even opened her photography studio. She enjoyed being involved in the Lockport community and attended her children's school and sporting events. She was a devoted, stern but loving and attentive mother. In later years, Julieta was married and Isaac and Noemy welcomed her favorite son-in-law, Don Garrett into the family. Sadly, Isaac passed away in 1976 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Noemy then moved back to New Orleans and began a 28-year tenure at Ochsner Hospital as an interpreter. She was loved by her patients there, devoted, and always attentive to their needs. She treated everyone with compassion always and was highly respected by the doctor and nurse she worked with daily at Ochsner. Noemy enjoyed many years in New Orleans making lifelong friends and developed a true love for the city she called home. She remained in New Orleans until the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina which then moved her to Houston in 2006. Unsurprisingly to anyone who knew her, she lived independently until last year with her beloved dog Buddy.

She will be cherished and remembered for her contagious spirit for life, fun-loving attitude, and excellent sense of humor. She was gorgeous and extremely kind. Noemy possessed a survivor's mentality but she retained her joy for life until the end. She was a doting mother to her two sons, Isaac and Donovan, and best friends with her only daughter, Julieta. Noemy was a fun-loving grandmother who always regaled her nine grandchildren and their friends with animated stories, and was blessed with being a part of her twenty-two great-grandchildren's lives as well. We will all miss her many stories, her infectious spirit, and the love she gave all of us. We are comforted in knowing she is reunited with her parents, brother, and loving husband.

“Thank you, everyone, for joining us to celebrate the life of our beloved mother, Noemy Fernandez Joseph, and remember her for everything she meant to each of us.“

- Julieta, Isaac and Donavan Joseph