My Dad wanted me to post this, along with a photo of our flag at half staff in her honor.
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Our beloved Joyce Schroeder Birkeland passed away quietly at the family home in Kirkland July 25, 2009. She died of complications from a return of breast cancer. She was 64 years old.
Joyce was the eldest child of the late Leonard Schroeder and Opal Schroeder and was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended schools there, and after being graduated from high school, met and married Frederick Peter Kalb. Peter and Joyce moved several times around the country, following his educational and vocational requirements, eventually settling in Seattle. They had two wonderful daughters, Gretchen Margaret Kalb and Heather Marie Kalb. Twelve years into their marriage their life paths parted and they divorced.
In 1978 Joyce married Paul Berton Birkeland and moved with him to Kirkland, where they added two more wonderful children - daughter Steffenie Elizabeth Birkeland and son Paul Leonard Birkeland. They raised their family there, and in addition Joyce was an active partner in the family real estate development and management business, Birkeland and Associates. She also established Birkeland Design, which was an interior design consulting firm, working on real estate rehabilitation projects. In her spare time, she became an accomplished porcelain doll artist and won numerous local and national prizes for her dolls. In addition, she was an extremely accomplished chef, hostess and generous benefactor of numerous charities, and was beloved by all she came into contact with. She enjoyed her family, travel, gourmet dinners at home and at favorite restaurants, great wines and vintners, reading, live theater (32 year attendee at Oregon Shakespeare Festival) and was looking forward to a life of retirement with Paul in their new home in Las Vegas.
She leaves behind her husband Paul, children Gretchen Moran and husband Mark of Marble Falls, Texas, daughter Heather Kalb of Seattle, daughter Steffenie Birkeland Evans and husband Fletcher of Seattle, and son Paul (Birk) of Kirkland, as well as sister Gloria Williams and husband Mike of Hayden Lake, Idaho and brother Darryl Schroeder and wife Lori of Houston, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Her Mother, Opal Schroeder of Houston, Texas also survives her. Aunt Jean Banker and husband Dr CA Banker of Chappell Hill, Texas and cousin Star Asimakoupoulos were very close to her . A memorial will be held at St Thomas Episcopal Church, 8398 NE 12th St., Medina, WA at 5 pm, July 29, 2009 followed by a reception at Newcastle Golf Club. Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund (www.komenpugetsound.org), St Thomas Church (www.stthomasmedina.org), Oregon Shakespeare Festival (petert@osfashland.org) or PONCHO (www.poncho.org)
Joyce enriched the lives of all she came into contact with, and left the world a better place. She had a heart of gold, took pains to be there for everyone, and was a warm and loving friend and hostess to many. We honor her memory and are grateful to all who so graciously helped us during her long struggle with breast cancer. In your own way you are carrying on with her mission - God Bless all of you.
We are very saddened to hear about Joyce's passing. She was a generous, gracious, warm and loving person. She was truly a modern woman: she managed her family, career and household with such finesse that I saw her as the ultimate role model to aspire to. May her memory be eternal and her legacy live on in those who not only knew her but learned from her amazing example of how to live and love.
ReplyDeletePenelope Benis and Chris, Christopher, Alexander and Nicholas Benis
Dear Paul, Gretchen & Mark,Heather,
ReplyDeleteSteffanie & Fletcher and Paul.
We are so very,very sorry to read of Joyce's passing. What a remarkable lady and one we will never forget. You have our deepest sympathy.Gail & Ren
My deepest sympathy goes to the family of my
ReplyDeletecousin, Joyce, whom I had not seen in many,
many years. My thoughts and prayers are with
all of you, her entire family and friends. My
most vivid memories of Joyce are, as a child,
she along with her siblings and parents, would
visit our farm outside Bellville, Texas. May
she now rest in peace, free from pain and
suffering.
Doris A. Breddin, Cousin, Katy, Texas
This beautiful, intelligent woman inspires us with creativity, joy and flare. Her virtues endure in each person she has met, each place where she paused. Our lives, our days and the places we dwell are better for the spirit Joyce brings to us. We find solace that Joyce is elation and refreshment. So we know she does not pass, but stays put in our soul. Our heart is with you and all the family.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to read of your loss. While not unexpected, the departure of such a viberent hits me deep.
Dear Paul and family,
ReplyDeleteChris and I are saddend by the news of Joyce passing. Paul told us at a Poncho meeting that she was sick and I have been saying prayers for her. She will now rest peacefully. What a beautiful women. Our thoughts are with you.
Chris and Robin DiJulio
Dear Paul and Family,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fitting and elegant tribute to a Life well lived. Joyce was a treasure to be sure and I think we all came away tonight with the feeling of JOY in honor and memory of Joyce. She was a voice to be reckin'd with and a joy to know and call our friend. May she rest now that her final journey is done. You all did a wonderful job tonight and I am pretty sure she would have been pleased and proud of everyting you did to honor her. With love to you all, Gail & Ren