Joyce Ann Helmbrecht

Joyce was born in Dearborn, Michigan to Wilbert Cleveland Marquis and Florence Catherine Greenwald Marquis. She grew up in Adrian and Detroit, attending Catholic schools and graduating from Saint Theresa High School in 1955. After graduation, she joined the choir at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Detroit, MI where she developed her exquisite soprano voice, singing solo performances on many occasions. She worked as an Executive Secretary at Hudson Department Store until she and her best friend Cathy relocated to San Diego, California in 1962.

From there it was history when she met her future husband Gary, best friend to her brother Gene Marquis when both were stationed at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Ca. It wasn’t long after they met when she said “I do” as they married at Saint Charles Catholic Church in San Diego, California. After honeymooning in Ensenada, Mexico and settling into their first home in Imperial Beach, California, Joyce began dedicating the rest of her life to raising their two children.

Throughout their travels in the States and abroad during Gary’s 29 years of service in the Navy, Joyce made many lifelong friends and participated in many charitable campaigns. She was known for her witty sense of humor and for comforting and consoling others in their time of need. She involved herself with raising money for many charity organizations including the American Red Cross, the March of Dimes, and the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. After Gary’s retirement, she became a part of the Women’s Auxiliary at the local Fleet Reserve Association Branch 289 in Imperial Beach, where she continued working with charities and on fundraisers. She will be missed by her fellow FRA Auxiliary members, family, and friends.

Joyce is survived by her two children Steven (Kay) Helmbrecht and Susan (Daniel) Weaver; sisters Mary (Bob) Jenkins and Doris Carlisle, three grandchildren Sarah (Jared) Haxton, Michael and Allison Helmbrecht; and four great grandchildren Qwynn and Azaelea Weaver, Zoey and Alexander Haxton.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Gary Helmbrecht, her parents, Wilbert and Florence Marquis, brothers Norbert, Ronald and Eugene, and grandson, David Allen Weaver.

“Please send donations to Sharp Hospice Care at sharp.com/inmemoryof

In lieu of flowers.

Service information to follow when available.