Joyce Marie Naum

Joyce Naum, 94, Houston, TX

(formerly of Cape Vincent, NY)

June 15, 1931 – March 14, 2026 (age 94)

Houston – Joyce Naum, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother left this earth to be with her heavenly father on Saturday, March 14th. She passed at the Eagles Trace Bayou Vista Skilled Nursing Home where she had resided for the past two years.

Joyce was born June 15, 1931 to Bernard O. and Grace M. Besenfelder in Rome, NY as their only child. She attended the Academy of the Holy Name and graduated at 16 years old. After high school, Joyce enrolled in St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Syracuse, NY where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1950. This began a lifetime of service to the sick and infirmed and gave Joyce great fulfillment as her calling in life. Over her lifetime, Joyce worked at a number of places in her chosen profession such as St. Joseph's hospital in Syracuse as a RN, Specialized MD support in Rochester, NY and was the head Nursing Supervisor at the Samaritan Keep home in Watertown, NY for many years. She also cared for her father in his last year of life and her mother who came to live with Joyce in 1990 and lived in her care until her death in 2008, one month shy of her 102nd birthday.

On May 5, 1952, Joyce married John R. Carr from Waddington, NY. Together they had two sons, John in 1953 and Mark in1954. John and Joyce resided in Cape Vincent, NY, Houston, TX and Daytona Beach, FL. from 1970 until 1991. After John passed on July 1, 1991, Joyce and her mother moved to Orange City, Florida. Joyce married William E. Naum on May 7, 1993 and were together for 23 years. They moved to Houston, TX in 2001where they resided until his death on April 15, 2016.

Joyce was full of life as evidenced by her many loving celebrations with her immediate family and extended Naum family who loved her as their own. Joyce enjoyed traveling to and living in Florida where she loved walking the beach and basking in the sunshine. While she and Bill lived in Florida they enjoyed family, friends and golf together there for many years. They also made many trips to Las Vegas where they enjoyed the shows, going to dinner and playing slot machines. They had a summer place in Cape Vincent, NY where she and Bill enjoyed fishing and golfing together and where she once got a hole in one at the Clayton Country Club. Of course, a celebration followed. One day, Joyce announced to the surprise of her family that on her 80th birthday she wanted to go skydiving and followed through on that pronouncement one sunny day in Katy, TX. She was joined in that endeavor by her son Mark, Granddaughter Nichole and Grandson Jonathan. She said it was the thrill of her lifetime.

Surviving are her sons and spouses; John Carr and Faye, Houston TX, Mark Carr and Carrie, Houston, TX, Grandchildren and spouses: Becky Souther and Mike, Nichole Thomas and Brent, Jonathan Carr and Beth, and Don Carr and Beth. In addition are 10 surviving great-grandchildren. Her extended family includes, Beverly Grimm and David, James Naum, Thomas Naum and Lorrie, 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by first husband John R. Carr and second husband William E. Naum.

Heartfelt thanks go to the Nursing staff and Home Care support staff at Eagles Trace and the hospice doctor and nurses all of whom provided wonderful kindness, excellent care and support for Joyce.

Per her request, there will be no calling hours but instead the family will gather together at a time and place to be decided later to remember and pay tribute to Joyce's life. A small gathering will be had at the interment at St Peter's Cemetery in Rome, NY this summer where she will rest beside her parents.