Joyce Loretta (Gillen) Reiner

Joyce Gillen Reiner went to be with our Lord and join her husband of 60 years, Dave Reiner, on December 8th, 2019 in Tyler Texas. Joyce was born to Loretta Elizabeth Gillen and Leonard James Gillen on June 12, 1931 in Chaumont, New York.

Joyce, a registered nurse, graduated from the St. Lawrence School of Nursing in Ogdensburg, New York. She served in the United States Air Force as a first lieutenant RN, met the love of her life in Bryan, Texas and married him on July 19, 1958. She worked in ICU and cardiac care in multiple hospitals and had a passion for helping others. When she was getting “too old” to work in hospitals, she worked for the state evaluating homes for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The clients adored her because she always treated them like her own kids and would occasionally bring one or two of them home for Thanksgiving if they did not have anywhere to go. Her compassion and love for others was endless, and being a mother and grandmother was her pride and joy. Being a military wife and mother came with many moves to different states and countries, and Joyce made sure the road trips were packed with adventure. She would look at a map and make sure her kids saw each important landmark including, Mt. Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park, Sun Valley, Idaho, and many others. She knew a song for almost everything and would not hesitate to make one up on the fly and sing it joyfully in the car as her family traveled (even when her kids made fun of her). As for the grandchildren, they were the real VIP’s! It was not uncommon to find her on the floor playing Barbies with one of her four granddaughters or taking her two grandsons to Chuck E Cheese. She played anything they wanted her to, even if it meant being a soccer goalie and getting pelted by a ball. Thanksgiving and Christmas always included a trip to Kid Kountry in Coppell or Rice Elementary school playground in Tyler with all of the grandkids. In the summer, Joyce would swim with the kids for hours until their fingers were pruned. She would play Marco Polo until her voice was hoarse. There were not many events she and Dave missed when it involved their kids and grandkids.

Joyce was extremely faithful and loved her church. She was a member and officer in the Altar Society and enjoyed participating in weekly adoration. She and Dave were members of Teams of our Lady which is an international marriage association, where they made lifelong friends. Joyce also made some of her best friends in her bible study group of 10+ years and always looked forward to their weekly visits while she was in assisted living. They were true friends to her until her last day here on earth. Joyce will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her; however, she will be in heaven this year with the love of her life, Dave Reiner, who’s favorite holiday just happens to be Christmas.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Lisa Armstrong and son-in-law Bob; son Mike Reiner and girlfriend Angie; daughter Susie Peschel and son-in-law Daron; daughter-in-law Lisa Reiner; grandchildren David and Nicole Forcey, Mackenzie Armstrong, Luke Armstrong, Nikki and Dave Nedbalek, Brooke Peschel, Bailey Peschel; Angie’s children Hannah and Jack; Brother Lenny Gillen and his children David and Dennis, Brother Jimmy Gillen and his wife Brenda and sons Michael and Robby; and sister Jane Granger and sons Ronnie and Rickie; niece Becky Gonzalez; and numerous other close family members and special friends.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Dave Reiner; parents Loretta Elizabeth Gillen and Leonard James Gillen, and sister Mary Gonzalez.

Visitation and rosary will be held Thursday, December 12, 2019 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 13th, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, Texas.