Joyce Ann Lekawa

Joyce Lekawa Obituary

Joyce Ann Lekawa was born on January 6, 1944, and raised in rural Illinois.  She passed away on August 11, 2024, in Tucson, AZ. She met and married the love of her life, Marion Lekawa, Jr., in 1964 and moved to Tucson, where they raised their three children and enjoyed 44 years of marriage together. Joyce retired from the University of Arizona after 36 years as an administrative assistant and acting business manager of the Department of Surgery. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, daughter. and friend. Joyce grew up on a farm, loved animals, and always had many beloved pets, especially dogs and birds. She was a member of the Avicultural Society of Tucson for decades. She loved bowling, shopping, gardening, travel, reading, crafts, and spending time with her family and friends.  Joyce was a strong woman of faith with a kind heart, optimistic attitude, and a sense of humor. She was brave and hard-working. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Richard King, Mary Flynn, her stepfather Thomas Flynn, her great aunt Frances King, and her grandson Sean Petersen.  She was survived by her sister Joanne Kincaid by only 8 days. The sisters are together now! She is survived by her children Richard Lekawa, Jill and Brett Ashenfelter, Laura Bond and Patrick Zircher; her grandchildren Hayden, Bryce, Gen, and Rafe; her nephews Dave and Mike, and her nieces Jennifer and Mary. 

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 3rd, at 10:30 AM. 

Condolences can be entered at afterall.com with Bring’s Broadway Chapel.