Joyce Catherine Leder

Joyce Catherine Leder, affectionately known as ""Nana Joy,"" died October 16, 2012 at the age of 93 surrounded by her family. She was born December 8, 1918 in Sydney, Australia to the late Reginald and Sylvia Gate and went on to live a long and joyful life.
Joyce grew up in Sydney and was a teacher of home economics. She became a war bride in 1943 with her marriage to Arthur Klei Leder, an Army Air Force fighter pilot. She sailed to the United States on an American Red Cross ship during World War II and later became a U.S. citizen. Joyce was a supportive and loving wife during Art's active duty military and civil service career. Art and Joyce were happily married for 54 years until his death in 1997 at the age of 78.
Joyce was an expert seamstress, hostess and chef, the ""Martha Stewart"" of her time. She loved to play bridge at Sunkist Country Club and was a devoted member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church for over 43 years. Even at the age of 93, she believed in the art of handwritten letters, letters that were cherished by those of us who received them.
Nana Joy is survived by her children, Jan (Kay) Leder of Columbus, Mississippi and Rise (Bobby) Parker of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; her grandchildren, Danielle (Craig) Reeder of Gulfport, Mississippi, Nicole (James) Altieri of Camden, South Carolina and Laurie (Anthony) Barclay of Spring Hill, Tennessee; her great-grandchildren, Carson, Canon and Cohen Reeder, Josiah, Sophia, Juliana and Elias Altieri, and Annie Barclay. Nana Joy was deeply loved by Danny and Bunny Lynn of Gulfport, Mississippi.
The family would like to especially thank: The Very Reverend Bo Roberts and his wife Pam, the parishioners of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, the staff and residents of Emeritus Assisted Living Community, Dr. Motakhaveri, the staff of Biloxi Regional Medical Center and the caring staff of Canon Hospice.
Visitation and celebration of life reception will be held on Monday, October 22nd at noon at St. Mark's Episcopal Church parish hall followed by a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. The internment service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m., National Cemetery in Biloxi. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 11322 East Taylor Road, Gulfport, MS 39503 or to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501 www.hssm.org/donate.