Obituaries

Joyce E. Keiffer, a beloved mother, wife of 46 years, and trailblazer, was entered into rest on February 8th, 20024 at the age of 84. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Linden and Daniela Keiffer; her daughter and daughter-in-law, Dr. Veronica, and Dr. Julie Keiffer-Lewis; her grandchildren, Kai, and Kiomi Neal; a sister-in-law, Ruby Peterson; a niece, Luanne Ward and her husband and children; nephews Kevin and Michael Peterson and their spouses and children. She also has many cousins and extended family members whom she also loved dearly.

At heart, Joyce was a farm girl that loved the fashion, glitz, and hairstyles of the city. She was born in Miller, South Dakota on May 18th, 1940, to John and Olga Peterson. She had one older brother, Edward (“Pete”) Peterson. Together, with her family, they moved to Wolsey, South Dakota when she was four years old. A cradle Lutheran, Joyce completed confirmation in the 8th grade and remained active in the church throughout her life. (She joined Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont California in 1979). Her love for the Lord never failed and guided her path.

Joyce was very involved in her community and high school, where she was nominated school sweetheart and class president. She served on the leadership team, was a cheerleader, and played the saxophone. She yearned to travel and see the world and eventually left the farm to further her education. While studying at Colorado State Joyce met and fell in love with fellow student, Isaiah (Ike) Keiffer. In defiance of societal norms, Joyce fearlessly followed her heart and married, Ike, the love of her life and a Black man, during a time when such unions were not only frowned upon, but illegal. Their love defied boundaries, and their bond stood as a testament to the power of love and resilience. Being married to a Black man in 1960’s and raising biracial children, was proof of her true grit and together, she and Ike proved the critics wrong and stayed together for the rest of their days. Joyce was a pioneer. She was passionate about education, completing both her BA in Elementary Education and MA in Education; going on to become a Reading Specialist. She was highly respected among her peers and received numerous awards and accolades during her career. She worked for New Haven Unified School District for most of her career and was a proud member of the CTA and CRTA.

In 1997, she became a founding member and Treasurer of The You In Me, Inc. (TYIM). In addition to her decades-long leadership role with TYIM, Joyce also coordinated the Multicultural Book Club. As an educator, she taught youth of all ages, including adults. While she retired as a Reading Specialist, she also worked with the special needs community, was a mentor teacher, designed programs and trained parent volunteers, and was deeply involved in volunteer service. In total, Joyce was in Education for over 40 years. Along with her deep faith, Joyce was filled with passion and enjoyed traveling, gardening, and going to the movies. She loved Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, and tea in Golden Gate Park. She had a spirit for social justice and called Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. her inspiration. Joyce was filled with love for Children’s Literature and the Arts. Some of her favorites included Dr. Seuss, Charles Schulz (Peanuts – Charley Brown) who would appear throughout her teaching approach, which focused on imagination, improvisation, and humor. She was also a dedicated, positive, highly engaged, and loving mother and spouse who strived to give her family everything she could. Even after losing her husband (Ike) in 2010 to cancer, she remained strong and took on the sole role of grandparent to her beloved grandchildren, Kai and Kiomi. She poured all her love into her family and though her health was failing, she always found a smile for those she loved. While she may be physically gone, we don’t think of this as her just passing away. She accomplished her dreams and much more. She provided love, guidance, and education for her children to achieve success. She performed the most human of roles by providing guidance to the next generation, her children, so they could be self-sufficient, while feeling loved and affirmed in every moment.

We believe that our mom has simply graduated with honors and has now gone to the next level – a higher level of education - where she will join the other members of our family, and together they will sit and compare notes on a life well lived. A woman of strength, determination, and grace, Joyce E. Keiffer leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and unwavering courage that will continue to inspire and uplift all those who had the privilege of knowing her. Rest in peace, Joyce E. Keiffer, a true pioneer and a beacon of hope in a world that often needed it the most. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made in Joyce’s honor to The You In Me, Inc., 36521 Alder Ct., Fremont CA 94536. Joyce will join her husband, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law in burial at Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, 95620.