Joyce H. Sakakini

Joyce H. Sakakini was born in Avilla, Indiana. From Indiana University in Bloomington, she received the Bachelor of Music Degree and was elected to the musical scholastic honorary, Pi Kappa Lambda. She earned the Masters of Music Degree with Distinction, majoring in classical voice. During this time, Joyce was also a member of the Belles of Indiana, who performed extensively worldwide. She then proceeded to NYC to pursue a professional singing career as well as to teach music at the Brooklyn Friends Academy and at Columbia Grammar School. While in NYC she married Morgan Sakakini and embarked on a 32 year odyssey that led to journeys through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, where she had an opportunity to explore the cultural, historical, and musical activities of each region. In Brussels, she founded and directed the International Concert Chorale. While in Beirut, she was Assistant Professor of Music at Beirut University, directed three Concert Chorales, and was Music Director at the American Community School. The Lebanese Minister of Education appointed Joyce to develop a nationwide music curriculum for the public schools. During the four years in Cairo, she studied Arabic at Cairo University. In Lisbon, Joyce was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Andalusian Fullbright Commission, served on the Board of the American Men's Club, and was President of the International Women's Association. The last ten years of her European sojourn were spent in Milan and Paris before retiring to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since her return to this country in 1993, Joyce resided in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She belonged to The Daughters of the American Revolution. Surviving are her nieces, Karen Moltz of Gilching, Germany; Daphne Benson of Copiague, NY; sisters Dorothy Harrod Sampson and Brenda Harrod Hamblen. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Morgan J. Sakakini, parents Ovid and Jessie Harrod, and a sister Daphne Harrod Richards. Service is 10:00 am, Thursday August 4, 2016 at Covington Memorial Gardens, 8408 Covington Road Fort Wayne, IN, with burial immediately following the graveside service. Memorials may be made to the Parkview Hospice.