Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Joyce Grace (Nunes) Freitas, 85, of Yuma, AZ, passed away on June 18, 2022.

Joyce was born in Sonora, CA to Joe and Margaret Nunes in 1937. She attended elementary and high school in Oakdale, CA where she met lifelong friends. In 1955, she married Elroy Freitas. Joyce worked as a seamstress as well as a teacher's aide at Penryn Elementary School. Joyce lived and made lasting friendships in Sacramento, CA; Penryn, CA; Rocklin, CA; Indio, CA; Chimacum, WA as well as Yuma, AZ

A highly skilled textile artist, Joyce enjoyed sewing, quilting, knitting, cross-stitch, crochet and other fiber arts. Infinitely curious; Joyce sought new experiences and knowledge through reading, conversation, classes, games, puzzles and travel. For 20 years, she and Elroy adventured in their RV joined for part of their journey by dog Bitsy and cat Sophie. Joyce journeyed to all 50 states, much of Canada and Northern Mexico, through the Panama Canal, to Portugal and to the Azores. Along the way, she made countless friends and connections.

Joyce was a cherished member of the Yuma Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and participated in Desert Lily Quilters and many clubs and organizations over the course of her life.

Joyce is preceded in death by parents Joe and Margaret Nunes, husband Elroy Freitas and brother Joe John Nunes.

Joyce is survived by daughter Jan and her husband Fred Ennenga, daughter Lynn and her husband James Scott and son Anthony Freitas and his husband Ronald Duculan; sister Nancy Jones; grandchildren Erin Rouse and Robin Lyon; great-grandchildren Sara, Miriam, Scott and Peter Rouse and Benjamin and Jonathan Lyon; and many, many precious family and friends whose lives her gracious and loving heart touched through the years.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of Yuma and March of Dimes. The family of Joyce wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Shea, Amy, Alma and the caring team at Hospice of Yuma; the amazing, loving and committed staff at Ativo, Pastors David Crum and Jeremey Baker and the wonderfully supportive congregation at Yuma OPC and all of those who shared laughs, stories, and comfort throughout Joyce's life and especially in these recent months.