Joyce Mapel, 83, of Vero Beach, passed away on Oct. 15 ,2015, by Alzheimer’s disease.
She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her husband, John Thomas Mapel, Jr.; children J.T. Mapel III (Cynthia), James Charles Mapel, Jeanne Mapel Olsen, and Jennifer Mapel Elmore (John); grandchildren Winifred, Holt and Edward Mapel, Christopher, Kelsey, and Thomas Olsen, Jack, Joseph, and Janey Elmore, and Jenny Paxton; great-grandchildren, Josiah Royal Elmore (Roy) and Parker Kate Elmore.
Mapel was born in Peoria, Ill., to Maxine and Dwyane Pottorf on Oct. 8, 1932. She attended Bradley University where she was a member of the Chi Omega, Mu Delta chapter and graduated in 1954.
She went on to become an Air Force wife in San Angelo, Texas, wedding John Thomas Mapel, Jr., her husband of 59 years. She dedicated her time to bettering the lives of others as a teacher, social worker and beloved mother.
Being a resident for 42 years, Vero Beach held a special place in her heart. This encouraged her to reach out to the community through the organization she named Safe Space, where she worked with medical and legal teams as a co-founder of the program.
Mapel’s enthusiasm for life allowed her to turn her dreams into reality and she did just that when she founded, alongside her husband John, Antique Investments in the Village Shops. It was a passion and business they went on to own for over 20 years.
Being a member of the First United Methodist Church was one of her greatest joys. There she taught Sunday school and expressed her love of floral creativity as a participant of the altar guild.
She was very gifted in the arts, and much of her free time was spent on her love of needlework and painting. She was an involved member and a resident of John’s Island where she enjoyed activities like golf, tennis, and garden club. There, she also made a home for her husband and four children, rooted in her deep faith, love of family and unconditional kindness; beliefs, that through her example, will live on for generations to come.
The memorial service, in celebration of Joyce’s life, will be held at First United Methodist Church on Monday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.
An online guestbook is available at www.lowtherfuneralhome.com.
