Joyce Rodrigues

Joyce was born in Guyana on Jan. 14, 1928 to George and Alfreda Couchman. She was one of seven children, including sisters Vera, Lynette and Mabel and brothers Harold, Herman and Bruno. At the age of 44, Joyce migrated to New York City with her husband Kenneth and five children. Joyce lived in Brooklyn and worked as a caterer for Marriot Hotels until her retirement. After retirement, Joyce moved to Royal Palm Beach, Florida. In Florida, Joyce volunteered at the local Royal Palm Beach Elementary School as a classroom aide for kids from first grade to fourth grade and was lovingly referred to by the kids as “Grandma”.

Joyce first passion was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to spend time with her family and went everywhere with them.

Joyce traveled the world, the United States, took numerous cruises, went camping and visited Disney world an uncountable number of times. She looked forward to these adventures with enthusiasm and motherly love. Her final journey was two week ago, when Joyce returned to her native Guyana.

Joyce other passion was the casinos. Joyce loved playing the slots machine and never missed an opportunity to visit the casinos with family and friends.To her many family and friends, Joyce was also lovingly known as “Auntie Nita”

Joyce is survived by her five children, Elaine Hill of New York; Trevor Rodrigues of Guyana; Yvette Blakely of Texas; Ann Hutchinson of Florida and Maurice Rodrigues of New York and her younger sister Mabel Couchman of Guyana. Joyce was very blessed to have 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.