FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Joyce A. Gieszler
08/26/1931 — 04/17/2025
From Kennewick, WA | Born in Fried, ND
Celebration of Life
Watch the Celebration of Life
New to Livestream? Watch the tutorial.
Committal Service
Reception
Joyce A. Gieszler
Joyce Arlene (Flaherty) Roberts Gieszler passed away peacefully in Richland, Washington, on April 17, 2025. She was 93.
Joyce was born in Fried, North Dakota, on August 26, 1931, the tenth of fifteen children born to Edward and Anna (Lester) Flaherty.
While living in Jamestown, North Dakota, she met Halford Roberts of Mississippi. They married in February 1950, and their son, Douglas Edward Roberts, was born later that year in Minnesota. In 1958, Joyce was widowed when Hal was tragically killed in California. She and Doug moved to Lodi, California, where they lived with her parents for a time. During that period, Joyce worked as the office manager for her brother Don’s Flaherty Brothers Body Shop.
It was in Lodi that Joyce met Tony Gieszler, the brother of Don’s wife, Lena. They married in March 1962. Not long after, Tony accepted a job in Pasco, Washington, and the couple moved to Richland, where they remained part of the Tri-Cities community for the rest of their lives.
Joyce worked in Richland for the Computer Science Corporation and Boeing, retiring after 20 years of dedicated service. Retirement didn’t slow her down-Joyce and Tony enjoyed traveling to visit family, and she found great joy in creating stunning quilts and cross-stitched pieces that became treasured gifts for her loved ones.
Joyce was known for her warmth, humor, and boundless love for her family and friends. She was a bright spirit-outgoing, generous, and endlessly creative. Her presence was a gift, and her memory will continue to be cherished by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers and five sisters; her first husband, Hal; their son, Douglas; and her beloved husband of 54 years, Tony.
Joyce is survived by her daughter-in-law, Kathy Roberts; grandchildren Nicole, Cory (Briana), and Martin (Courtney) Roberts; and great-grandchildren Makenzie and Marcus Roberts, Leviticus Geisler, and Brittney, Ryan, and Rachel Bland. She is also survived by Tony’s sons, Jeff (Debbie) Gieszler and Jerry (Pat) Anthony; grandchildren Brian (Sarah) Gieszler and Stephanie (Erik) Best; and great-grandchildren Kaden and Jaxon Best, Brighton Gieszler, and Adrian and Todd Holgate. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Mary Derby, and her brother, Gerry (Theresa) Flaherty.
Joyce’s life was defined by resilience, kindness, and love. She will be remembered for her strength through life’s trials, her generous spirit, and the joy she brought to everyone around her. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on in the warmth of her family, the beauty of her handmade creations, and the many cherished memories she leaves behind.
A funeral service to honor Joyce’s life will be held on May 2nd at 12:00 p.m. at Einan’s at Sunset, located at 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Heartlinks Hospice Care and the dedicated caregivers at Brookdale Torbett Memory Care for the compassionate support they provided during Joyce’s final days.
Joyce was always kind and thoughtful to me and was a great cook. She taught me how to cook which I did in the Coast Guard. She also paid for my education at Devry Institute of Technology in Phoenix.
God Speed and thank you.
Jerry Anthony
I will always remember her for being so loving, and caring. Aunt Joyce was so kind and had a funny sense of humor. My favorite picture is of mom and Joyce when they were teenagers. They had big smiles, they loved each other, bestie sisters. Now they will see each and laugh again. Miss them both.
Joyce was my precious sister, and I want people to know that she was the most wonderful sister anyone could have. She was kind, gracious, talented, beautiful, and so patient with me as a child and as a teenager. I spent summers with her as a teenager, and she taught me how to be a lady, how to dress, and how to put on makeup. I used to get upset with her because she told me if I wanted to have a beautiful face, I had to wash my face every night before I went to bed. That was fine when I was younger, but when I was older and dating, and came home at 1:00 a.m. in the morning, I didn’t feel like washing my face. However, I would hear her voice in my head saying, if you want beautiful skin, you need to wash your face, and I couldn’t go to sleep until I had done so. Years later, I reminded her about this, and we laughed about it. But you know what, growing up I had great skin. Thank you Joyce! I’m so grateful that she was my sister. And, I’m so thankful that I was able to pray with her two years ago, when she asked Jesus back into her heart. I know I will see her again, and we will both be well. I love you sister, and I’ll see you on that resurrection morning.
I have so many good memories of my aunt Joyce (Joy) I will miss her but will carry those memories in my heart forever! I keep her cross stitch big Santa Clause picture hanging up all year and I smile each time I look at it. I was blessed with wonderful aunts and uncles!
Aunt Joyce, was very special. I have good memories with her when I was young.
I will carry those memories in my heart forever. She will be missed and always loved.
I knew Joyce from brookdale. I absolutely loved her so much and she will be missed 😢 just her laugh and her personality was just amazing and how she would light up the room no matter what was going on. I know she is in a better place now and not suffering anymore ❤️
Guestbook for
Joyce A. Gieszler