Obituary of Joyce Lorraine Hesson

Joyce was born to Florence (Hokinson) Martin and Rupert Martin in St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1949, where she was selected “As Most Likely to Succeed” by her classmates. She pursued further studies at The University of Minnesota.  While there she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

She met her husband James (Jim) in high school, where they were best friends, and they married in 1952 after Jim graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS). Jim’s career in the Army took them to many parts of the U.S. and abroad, including a two-year assignment in Pakistan with their children. They had four children, Leslie, Jim Jr., Jeff, and Laurie Jo. Although life as an Army wife is not always easy, Joyce loved the opportunities the Army brought both to her and her family.  She was the family rock while Jim was deployed to three combat-related assignments or on frequent Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments. She joked about how they moved 33 times in 31 years. 

Joyce was a highly successful real estate agent in both St Louis and Northern Virginia. She was an active supporter of her community and volunteer including as a Girl Scout Leader, a US Citizenship Teacher, a member of the Sarasota Opera Guild, and an organizer for the Susan B. Komen Rally for a Cure.  She also supported the Sarasota Florida Chapter of MOAA, where she and her husband sent out over 10,000 boxes to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Joyce was also a lifelong writer and learner. She compiled her letters from Pakistan into a self-published book. She was an avid historical and genealogical researcher, tracing some branches of her family back to the 1400s. Her family cherishes her writings.

Joyce and Jim returned to the Northern Virginia area in 2017, choosing Falcons Landing as their retirement community.   She enjoyed the many social and educational opportunities Falcons Landing afforded her and she was happy to be close to family and friends.   

Joyce was predeceased by her parents, Rupert and Florence Martin, her daughter, Leslie Hesson Whitaker, and her son Jeff Hesson. She is survived by her husband, Jim Hesson, her son, Jim Hesson, Jr (Debbie), her daughter, Laurie Jo Hesson O’Brien (Kevin), her son-in-law, John Whitaker (Elizabeth Pribor), and her daughter-in-law, Sue. She is further survived by her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Nana Mommie”: Erin Whitaker (Charlie Schryver), Michael Whitaker (Tracey), Jeffrey Hesson (Cameron), Melissa Hesson Mayer (John), Daniel Hesson (Audre), James Hesson (Amanda), Stephen Hesson and Kirsten Hesson, and 13 great-grandchildren and one due to be born on what would have been her 92nd birthday.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, the family suggests donations to their ongoing joint college scholarship managed by the Army Aviation Association of America.

AAAA Scholarship Foundation, Inc

93 Main Street

Monroe, CT 06468

Check Memo Line: “BG James and Joyce Hesson Scholarship”

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Falcons Landing, Potomac Falls, VA on November 8, 2023, at 2 PM.