Joyce Mcguire

My Aunt Joyce died in Hurricane Katrina in Arabi, Louisiana. She was a true character who was larger than life (my wife, Deborah, says she was like the "Unsinkable Mollie Brown"). Aunt Joyce was loud, opinionated, fun, funny, and definitely at all times "herself". Someone could easily have made a TV series based upon her character. They mentioned about her being "Lost in Katrina" in the book of that same name written by Mikel Schaefer. I will never forget Aunt Joyce...nor any of the many other notable characters of my family.

When I bought the old Samaha building in Houma to house my Law Office about 1981, it took extensive renovations to restore it. When it was time to paint, wall paper, and decorate the interior, I first sought the services of a well known interior designer who presented me with her samples for each room. It wasn't what I wanted. My mother, also named Joyce, advised me to call Aunt Joyce from Chalmette. So I went to see Aunt Joyce and she was excited about the prospect of helping her nephew launch his own office. When I showed her the other decorator's ideas, Aunt Joyce said, in her St. Bernard Parish accent, "Oh no, Dahrlin, that is so 'Mary Poppins'". Aunt Joyce came to Houma, and like a whirlwind went through my offices commenting on her inspired vision of colors..."pinto bean colored doors and windows", "absolutely beautiful" she said as she looked at the undone interior, and "deep royal blue and red luxurious peacock wallpaper for your personal office...absolutely the finest for such a fine attorney!" I gasped and looked anxiously at my wife, Deborah, as I said "Do your thing, Aunt Joyce!" She inspired confidence, though I wasn't sure how far off the edge she would take us. She was right though about the "Mary Poppins" thing. So here we were...on an adventure with Aunt Joyce.

And what a beautiful job she did. No one else could have envisioned what she saw. After my office opened, clients and other attorneys alike always commented upon my office when they entered, "This is beautiful. It's like I walked off the streets of Houma and entered into New Orleans. There is no place like this in all of Houma."

I told this to Aunt Joyce, who smiled knowingly, and said, "I told you, my Dahrlin, only the finest for you." She was right in every choice she made. She knew she was the best...and she told you so. That was my Aunt Joyce.

By Jules Boquet
November 27, 2013

I can see her in my mind although we never met because of her beautiful tribute.

I have read all 33 pages naming those lost in New Orleans and have come to feel as if I have known you all. I am grieving with you even though I am far away. I am in San Francisco, but I am holding you all close to my heart. Love, Laurie