Joyce Gloria Fowlin

Born in Jamaica in 1942, Joyce’s exact birth month is family lore. She was born on July 8, but celebrated her birthday, her entire life, on June 8. Raised in the rural area of Rock River, Clarendon (Jamaica), she would later move to the capital, Kingston, where she was very involved in the Church of God - remaining close friends with people she met there up until the day she died.

In March of 1968 at the age of 26, Joyce immigrated to Queens, New York where she worked various jobs – from family caretaker to receptionist at Columbia University’s admission office. In January 1969, she married the love of her life, Roy Fowlin. Together they raised four children and eventually settled in New Jersey for the last 40 years.

At home, Joyce was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, grandmother. She spoiled her entire family with love, phone calls, prayers, ice cream money, and constant words of encouragement. She was a remarkable cook who prepared food by memory, taste, and sight. Never by recipe. You could taste her love in the food she prepared. She had a natural greenthumb, and after working in her garden became too difficult, she tended to the dozens of plants in her living room.

Joyce’s true passion in life was service – both to God and others. And that service extended into the jobs she worked: as an aide for special needs children; an overnight nurse’s aide at a rehab facility; and even as a salesperson in the handbag section of Macy’s. Joyce was always smiling, always compassionate. It was not uncommon for her to meet someone new and know all about their life’s triumphs and tragedies by the end of the conversation. It was difficult for Joyce to get through a trip to the mall, supermarket, bank - or honestly just about anywhere she went – without being stopped by people who felt connected to her. To know Joyce was to love her.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 55 years, Roy Simeon Fowlin; her children Roy, Michael, Michele, and Joy (son in law Dino Ragugini); her grandchildren Janique (Duke) Fowlin, Ro’Mello Fowlin, Elijah Parker, Josiah Parker, Saskia Bozard Fowlin, Christopher Comella Fowlin, Nathan Max Geiger, Sofia Ragugini, and Marley Ragugini; her great-grandchildren Nyla and Noelle Fowlin; her sister Maria “Noreen” Mason-Johnson; and so many other dear family members and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her mother Marian, her step-father Cecil, and her brother Fitzroy.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024 at Toms River First Church of the Nazarene, 188 Highway 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 from 10:00 am until the Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Ocean County Memorial Park in Toms River. The repast will be held at the Clarion on Highway 37, Toms River at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in her name to the American Heart Association.