Joyce Schechter

Joyce Schechter (a"h) passed away peacefully on Shabbat morning, January 28. Born to Harry Greenberg and Rose Glass Greenberg, Joyce grew up in Gadsden, Alabama. When she was fifteen, her mother went to Ft. McClellan to scope out the Jewish soldiers to invite for the High Holy Days. She met the love of her life, Captain Joe Schechter, on Rosh Hashanah, and married him after high school. The young couple moved to Waco for Joe’s job, where together they reared their children. Once in Texas, Joyce embraced Joe’s close extended family as a devoted daughter/sister-in-law and aunt. More than anything, she loved family. Joyce was a fulltime homemaker and mother, and served as Sisterhood president at Congregation Rodef Shalom, where she and Sisterhood friends started a catering business to help support the religious school. She found her truest calling, however, in her role as “Granny.” She loved cooking and baking with her grandchildren, and she modeled hospitality and sheer fun not only for her children and grandchildren, but for their many friends who loved her warmth, laughter, and open heart. As a Jewish young woman growing up in the Jim Crow South where racism and antisemitism sparked fear, Joyce (a"h) fought prejudice by modeling inclusion and tolerance, always making sure that everyone she met felt like they “belonged.” Granny will be fondly remembered for her love of life, sense of humor, hospitality, and for being “lady-like.” Her nails were never unpolished, and her hair was always coiffed. She was quick to find humor in any situation, and often said, "You can laugh or you can cry, but crying just gives you a headache." After their pre-retirement work adventures, Joyce and her beloved Joe (z"l) retired in Austin to be fulltime grandparents and volunteers. Together they volunteered for Meals on Wheels for many years. Her love of dogs led her to become active in Therapy Pet Pals, where she trained therapy dogs and took her own to care for and nourish the elderly. Joyce (a"h) was a consummate storyteller, ever present to the beauty of the world. Joyce and Joe traveled the world and made friends wherever they went. They were married for 65 years. Joyce (a”h) will be fondly remembered by her children Cathy Schechter and Eddie Selig, Cheryl and Dr. Aryeh Farkas, and Dr. David and Lucy Schechter; grandchildren Julia, Molly, Nissim Leib (Orli), Raizel Leah (Yaakov), Aaron Joshua, Jessica, Abe (Julie), Ellana, and Jonathan; grand-great-grandchildren Jack and Hindy. She loved Aimee and Ruby like her own. She is also survived by beloved brother- and sister-in-law Arthur and Joyce Schechter, and beloved nieces and nephews Debbie, Leslie (Hedley), Jennifer (Alan), and nephews Ricky (Olivia), Geoffrey (Tina) and Mike (Nancy). She will also be missed by Dr. Jaron Winston and Sue Schechter. Funeral and burial services will be held Tuesday afternoon 31 January @ 1:00 pm at Austin Memorial Park -- 2800 Hancock Drive. In lieu of flower, contributions may be made to the Aytz Chaim Endowment of Congregation Agudas Achim (Selig Fund); Meals on Wheels; or Therapy Pet Pals. To stream the funeral, please go to the Austin Natural Funerals Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinNaturalFunerals. A Facebook account is not required in order to view. If a pop-up window appears asking you to log in, click "not now" and the livestream will be available for you to view. If the "not now" button does not appear, scroll down on the page and it will come up for you to select. The family is intending to attend evening minyanim (6:00) at Congregation Agudas Achim in the coming days. Your presence is always praiseworthy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce's (a"h) loving memory to: Therapy Pet Pals of Texas: http://therapypetpals.org/index.html CAA Aytz Chaim (Hannah and Richard Selig Memorial Fund): https://theaustinsynagogue.org/aytz-chaim/ T'hi Nishmata Tz'rurah Bitzror haHayim. May Joyce's (a"h) memory be bound up in the bond of life.

Joyce Schechter

March 23, 1936 - January 28, 2023