Joyce Brady Velde

She was born in Quezon City, Philippines, in 1935. As a very young girl, she was among the first civilians strafed by the Japanese at the beginning of the World War II living through Japanese occupation and the horrific battle of Manila near the end of World War II

She was home schooled during the war and thereafter until her high school, the American School of Manila was reestablished. After an exemplary record there, she immigrated to the United States and graduated from Mount Vernon Junior College in Washington, DC, with an outstanding academic record and participated in many social activities and athletics including president of the senior class.

She then received her Bachelor of Arts from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

On graduation day, she married her husband of almost 70 years, Richard Velde. She instantly became a military wife, G.I. Bill law school student’s wife, and then mother of her two children. She became a lifelong resident of Arlington County,Virginia, immersing herself in the PTA and local precinct politics and civic associations.

She was a dedicated volunteer in the Republican Party at the local, state and federal levels, and was coordinator of volunteers and national distribution of bumper, stickers and campaign buttons for the Reagan Bush campaign of 1980.

She also served on the board of the Arlington Red Cross and served as the first co-chair with husband Pete for the College of William & Mary Parents Association in the late '70s.

She was a long time, devout parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Arlington serving where she co-chaired the parish annual boutique as well as contributing to many parish events.

During her work on the Reagan Bush, campaign, transition, and Inauguration she amassed a large collection of memorabilia recently accepted by the Reagan Library. She received a letter with "thoughtful appreciation for the donation of boxes containing an extraordinary collection."

She was the proud grandmother to her three grandchildren who are just now completing their college educations at Florida State University and Georgia Tech.

We miss her so much. Her absence has left holes in our hearts from which we will never recover.

She was predeceased by her parents William F. Brady and Carmen Berlanga and her brother William C. Brady.

She is survived by her husband Richard "Pete" W. Velde of Alpharetta, GA. Sons Blake (Brian) of Fort Lauderdale, FL

Brent (Katie) of Alpharetta, GA, and three grand children Tyler, Carson, and Jordyn.

No services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to Arlington Catholic Charities' St. Margaret of Cortona in Joyce Velde's memory, or the charity of your choice.

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