Joyce Karen Lehrman

Joyce was born on January 30, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY to Dorothy (nee Zaglin) and Michael Borodkin. She married Norman Lehrman on April 14, 1962 and they lived in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where they raised their one son, Michael.

Joyce had a successful career as a professional puppeteer with the New York City Parks Department and Jim Henson's Muppets. She spent her summers bringing joy to inner city kids throughout the NYC Burroughs, entertaining them with the Marionette Theater Group and Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park.

Joyce loved swimming and it was in her genes. Her father was the Head Life Guard at NYC's Rockaway Beach and was the LIU swim coach. She would go to great lengths to get in her laps each day. It was her happy place - accessible, floating, and moving gracefully through the water. She had paintings and sculptures of dolphins and had an unfulfilled dream to swim with them. But the idea still brought her peace of mind.

She was passionate about beautiful jewelry and decorating her terrace with flowers and garden ornaments. She enjoyed listening to her favorite musicians, such as Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Adele, and Michael Bubble. She also loved watching tennis personalities such as Rafael Nadal, one of her all-time favorites.

Joyce loved to initiate conversations with friends and strangers and felt comfortable conversing equally with the young and the old. The doormen at 444 East 86th Street knew her well where she developed caring friendships over the years with long talks about life. She was "mom" to several poodles - Bobo, Annie, and Madison and equally enjoyed talking to them, as with humans.

Joyce surrounded her home with glamorous dolls and baby ones. Her childhood doll has been placed in her casket alongside her to continue to bring her comfort.

Joyce had unfortunate health challenges battling breast cancer at age 32, ovarian cancer at 41, and a terminal neck tumor at 80. She was a strong-willed fighter, beating the odds of the disease for almost 50 years. Her journey ended under compassionate care with the exceptional Nathan Adelson Hospice.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and survived by her loving husband Norman; son Michael, and two grandchildren, Myles and Gavin Lehrman.

A graveside service will be held on at 10:00am on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at King David Memorial Cemetery, 2697 E. Eldorado Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89120. King David Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements.