Joyce A. Galya

GALYA, JOYCE A., 57, passed away on October 4, 2008. Her love will live on, in those she blessed with her love, in the many who love her and in her accomplishments, none of which she touted. Born in New York City, on July 1, 1951, to Louis and Sylvia Shuter, to Joyce, Miami was her home. It was here she received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, from the University of Miami, here she gave life to the joys of her life, children Scott and Tracy, here she met her honey and fiance, Mario, here she made her lifelong friends, Shawn, Chris and Steffi and here she gave her blood, sweat and tears as the Director of UM's Citizens Board and Office of Corporate Relations. Joyce loved spending her time with Tracy, her best friend, horseback riding on Tucker, painting each others nails, and watching their newest show of interest on TV. She loved relaxing with her fiancé Mario on their impromptu boat trips to No Name Harbor to watch the sunset. His lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and homemade tomato sauce could always make her smile. But most of all Joyce loved the way he loved her. Joyce loved Scott's sense of humor, and working with him and her father in the family real estate business. She loved animals, especially snuggling with her kitty Hershey and dog Dutch. She loved adventures, from sailing across Biscayne Bay in a catamaran with one hull in the air, to trips across Europe with family and friends, traveling Italy with her honey, picking blueberries in Alaska, relaxing in a log cabin on Lake of the Woods, even dude ranching on the Montana plains. She loved putting her feet in the pool on a sunny day and always volunteered to be the judge of the diving competition going on between the neighborhood children in the back yard. But most of all she enjoyed loving her family, raising her children, and just being a part of all of those around her. She never took life for granted, and believed that it isn't the number of breaths you take but how you use those breaths that counts. Joyce was a passionate and successful business woman. For more than 25 years, she oversaw the growth of the Citizens Board to its current success, including a 300-member professional board which recently had a banner year. To honor Joyce for her dedication and commitment to the University, members established the Joyce Galya Family Endowed Scholarship at the School of Business and dedicated the Joyce Galya Conference Room in the School of Education. Joyce was presented the Key to the City of Coral Gables at the 60th anniversary of the Citizens Board Annual Meeting. Under Joyce's leadership, the Board raised more than $43 million in 2005-2006, which among numerous benefits, will assist UM programs enhancing the student learning experience. Joyce's love of alma mater was one of the many attributes that led to her being tapped in 1996 by Iron Arrow, the highest honor attainable at the University of Miami. She was an avid 'Canes fan and attended both home and away games regularly. One of Joyce's fondest memories was having her whole family together as her son proposed to his future wife at the last Hurricane game in the Orange Bowl. As a highly respected community leader, Joyce's integrity and compassion were hallmarks of her personal and professional relationships. She was passionate about empowering our next generation of leaders and served as a role model and facilitator, inspiring young professionals to reach their goals. With her children, she founded the charity, "Making Movies Matter ," which provides DVD players and videos to hospitals and doctor's offices, allowing patients receiving chemotherapy to watch movies during their treatments. She always said that if you want it, "Make It Happen." Joyce is survived by the lights of her life, her children (and UM alums as well), Scott and Tracy Galya, her beloved honey Mario Capone, her father, Louis Shuter, her brother, Robert (Diana) Shuter, nephews Jeff and Daniel, aunts, uncles, cousins, very soon-to-be daughter-in-law Jessica and best friends Shawn, Chris and Steffi. Joyce left a lifetime of good deeds and great memories and she will be profoundly missed by all who hold her dear. Burial will be at Mount Lebanon in New York with a Memorial Service to be held at the University of Miami in Storer Auditorium at the School of Business at 3:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2008. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Making Movies Matter DVD Program for Oncology Patients, 11415 SW 113 Terrace, Miami, FL 33176. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.