Joyce Mary Amy Rimmer

Joyce Mary Amy Rimmer (nee Morgan), 84, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on the 3rd of April after battling with the strength of a warrior through complications related to diabetes, colorectal cancer and kidney failure.

The oldest of six siblings, Joyce was born on Dec. 31, 1939 to John Pierpont and Gertrude Duhaime Morgan in Waterbury, Connecticut. Joyce's early childhood in Connecticut included long bus rides to school where she would keep an eye on her younger sister, responsible and practical even at the early age of 6-years-old. The family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and lived on 9th Street just outside the Xavier gates. Joyce attended St. Francis Catholic School and graduated from Xavier High School (now Xavier College Preparatory) in 1957.

When Joyce was 16 she met and fell in love with a handsome young man whose brother and sister-in-law lived just down the street from her family. Marion Rimmer was the perfect fit for Joyce, except he was not Catholic. Joyce's life centered around her Catholic faith. That didn't deter Marion, who not only joined the Catholic Church, but lived a life in service to his faith. The couple happily and with their full devotion made God the center of their marriage and their family.

The young couple was married on June 21, 1958 in Brophy Chapel. For the next 65 years, Joyce and Marion remained committed to building and living a life together. They went on to have nine children, 28 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Joyce and Marion moved to Simi Valley, California in 1968 where they raised their family, and served their church community. In 1988, Marion was ordained a Deacon in the Melkite Catholic Church and served at St. Anne Melkite Greek Catholic Church in North Hollywood for the next 15 years. Joyce continued her education with art and design classes at Moorpark College. She became proficient in acrylic painting and it soon became one of her favorite pastimes.

In 2002, the couple returned to the Valley where they became members of St. John of the Desert Melkite Catholic Church. For the next 22 years, Joyce could be found in the front row at liturgy wearing her veil and reciting every prayer and chant from memory, while Marion served on the altar. The couple devoted their life to serving the parish and were integral in supporting the community through the building of a new Church and installation of liturgical customs and practices. Joyce taught Eastern Christian Formation, was a member of the Women's Guild, and participated in the establishment of church groups focused on faith formation.

Joyce is survived by eight of her nine children: Rich (Lisa), Eric, Julie (Scott), Kurt (Katharina), John (Stephanie), Jason, and Christa all living in Metro Phoenix; Lisa (Oscar) of Yuma; and Julie Kay (Mike) of Pleasanton, California; all 50 grandchildren; and her five siblings: Irene, Patricia, John, Phillip, and Anne. She was predeceased by her parents John and Gertrude and her son Eric.

May her memory be eternal!

The funeral service is Monday, April 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St John of the Desert Melkite Catholic Church, 3718 E Greenway Rd, Phoenix AZ 85032. The burial is immediately following at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery, 23015 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix AZ 85024. Arrangements are being handled by Hansen's Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery at 6500 East Bell Road, Scottsdale AZ 85254.