Mary Ann Joyce Brandner's Obituary
The Life of Mary Ann Joyce Brandner
Mary Ann “Joyce” Brandner was born on June 20, 1935, in Maidstone, Saskatchewan, Canada, to John and Margaret Brandner. Joyce's father was born in Germany and her mom in North Dakota. They met in Canada on her mother’s family farm. In 1937, Joyce’s family traveled to Germany to visit their grandparents in Magdeburg. However, their stay was extended due to health reasons. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and travel restrictions were imposed. This extended their one-year visit throughout World War II and into December of 1949. While Joyce and her older brother Douglas were able to return to America after the war, their mother’s expired citizenship prevented her from joining them in the land of the free with endless opportunities.
In America, Joyce lived with the Kerrone’s in North East Tacoma, Washington, and continued her education in the Federal Way School system. In 1951, she became seriously ill with a kidney disease and was hospitalized for nine months. Due to the seriousness of Joyce’s illness, her mother and younger brother Peter, who was born in Germany, were granted permission to join her in America. Soon after their arrival, Joyce recovered and was able to live with her family and attend Stadium High School in Tacoma.
After graduating from high school, Joyce entered Knapp's Business College in Tacoma and obtained a certificate in accounting. After several years of work within the business field, she decided to pursue a more meaningful, personal, service oriented and rewarding carrier as a nurse. Joyce entered and completed the Tacoma General Hospital (TGH) School of Nursing program, rejoining the work force as a nurse in TGH’s operating room department. For the following 10 years, she thrived in her chosen professional career. In fact, she enjoyed her work so much that she decided to enter the nurse teaching arena. In preparation toward achieving that goal, Joyce attended the Pacific Lutheran University Nursing Program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 1969.
After completing her BSN studies, Joyce was accepted into the University of Washington Masters in Nursing Program and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1970. She was blessed to shortly thereafter attain a teaching position at TGH’s School of Nursing. While the work was hard and challenging, it was also interesting, rewarding and satisfying. When the TGH School of Nursing closed, Joyce selected a medical nursing staff development instructor position at American Lake Veterans Affairs (ALVA) Medical Center in Tacoma.
During Joyce’s tenure at ALVA, she progressed from nursing instructor to head of the nursing service education department, an Associate Chief of nursing position. She was later promoted to Chief of Education, where she oversaw the education needs for the entire ALVA medical center. Finally, after the merger of the ALVA Medical Center with the Seattle VA, she was appointed Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Education for the joint medical centers. Throughout her professional career at ALVA, Joyce enjoyed serving her patients and colleagues. She gave freely of her time and energy until she retired in 1996, and felt great satisfaction and reward from helping the people the Lord placed in her life.
Outside of work, Joyce and seven other Christian members of the Bible study she attended were inspired to establish a not-for-profit, low-income housing project called "Mi Casa." Through this
visionary project, they were able to assist individuals with children in low-rent situations until they were able to attain a job that lifted them out of their previous circumstances.
Joyce also had many hobbies. She enjoyed reading, working on her bonsai plants, craftwork, the challenges of the computer world and her many travels. She was particularly fond of the numerous trips she took to Germany and Canada with her brother Doug and his wife Alyce, where they reminisced about their earlier life ventures. She also treasured the 25 trips she took to the beautiful islands of Hawaii, and enjoyed numerous outings to the ocean with special friends and family members.
Throughout her life, Joyce felt blessed by her wonderful family and beautiful friendships; especially Gail, who look care of her during her health-ridden years. She treasured and appreciated all the opportunities that were given to her, and she believed the Lord guided her throughout life's path. Joyce always tried to find the best in all situations, and felt nothing happens to an individual that he or she cannot handle with the help of God. She was thankful God was always with her throughout life, especially during her challenging last years. Through it all, she believed the rewards she encountered in life were always way beyond her expectations, and with the blessing of God.
Joyce was called home on May 23rd, 2016.
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