Joyce Ellis

More than anything else, Joyce should be remembered for her outlook on life. Her positive attitude was reflected in everything she did. People who knew Joyce for years or just met her briefly, found her vivacious, joyful, smart, and optimistic. She had a terrific perspective on life.

Joyce grew up on the Southside of Chicago with her parents and her brothers, Ralph and Jerry LaZar. She often spoke fondly of her childhood memories. Her family lived above her dad’s sheet metal shop and as a self-professed tomboy she chased after her brothers. After she attended the University of Illinois, she met her first husband and had her son, Mark in 1953.

Joyce met her late husband Mose Ellis in 1964 at Jackson Park Hospital where she was working as an assistant in the Human Resources department and Mose was the hospital administrator. Joyce and Mose married in 1965 and welcomed their first daughter, Lynn in 1967.

Joyce, Mose, Mark and Lynn moved to New Orleans in 1967 for Mose to open East Jefferson General Hospital. In 1970, Joyce and Mose welcomed their second daughter, Andrea.

Joyce embraced the culture of New Orleans, growing to love Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. She was very active in National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, Tikvat Shalom Congregation and later Shir Chadash serving on numerous boards. Joyce also had a life-long love of the arts and worked as a docent at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

In 1984, Joyce decided to get her Real Estate license and went to work for Buccola McKenzie and Prudential Real Estate. A little over 10 years later, she used her creativity and real estate knowledge to work in the marketing department at Woldenberg Villas, bringing so much joy to the residents there.

Joyce is survived by her son Mark Strauss (Karen); Lynn Elster (Brad); Andrea Rubin (Mark); Her grandchildren Joshua Strauss; Zachary Strauss (Frankie); Amanda Strauss; Abby Elster; Chloe Elster; Rebecca Rubin; Jayden Rubin as well as her great grandchild Isaac Love. She is also survived by her devoted brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Rosita LaZar.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful group of caregivers who made Joyce’s life easier and more comfortable over the last couple of years.

If you wish to make a donation, please consider Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, JCRS and the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, 3737 West Esplanade in Metairie on Monday, Dec 5. 32022 at 11:00 am, with a graveside service to follow in Tikvat Shalom Cemetery (in Jefferson Memorial Gardens), St. Rose, Louisiana. To view the services online, please use the following link. shttps://us06web.zoom.us/j/99836332669?pwd=T1Q2aUg4Qm5wQy9NK0tOMWNCTGJwdz09