Peggy Joyce Beckner

Peggy Joyce Adkins Beckner, 95 years old, died on July 5, 2020, in Melbourne, Florida. She is survived by her daughter, Professor Judy Beckner Sloan and her son-in-law, Dr. William Sloan, of Los Angeles, California, her son Gary Lee Beckner and daughter-in-law Jennifer Beckner, R.N., of Indialantic, Florida, and her son Kenneth Edward Beckner and daughter-in-law Eva Beckner of Tampa Florida.

Her grandchildren are Dr. Anita Lee Sloan-Garcia of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jacqueline Helen Sloan, J.D., of Los Angeles, California, and Annette Drook, R.N., of Carmel, Indiana. Her great-grandchildren are Addie Decter and Leo Decter of Los Angeles, Gabriel Sloan-Garcia of Albuquerque, and Alaina Drook and Anthony Kramer of Carmel.

Peggy Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Edward Lee Beckner. They met at a skating rink in Fort Valley, Georgia, where Joyce was born, and where Lee was stationed in WWII. A Pennsylvania Dutch farm boy fell in love with a Georgia peach!

Our loving mother was devoted to beauty. She surrounded herself and her family with a beautiful home and many loving friends in Tampa, Florida. She worked as a secretary for years. She had been a pianist in her youth, and was able to type over 100 words per minute. This enabled her to work at Maryland Casualty Insurance Company, Kraft Industries, and even the Hillsborough County Health Department.

Joyce was devoted to her church, the Forest Hills Methodist Church, where she made many friends, especially friends who could play bridge. She was a killer bridge player, specializing in her favorite bid: three no trump.

This beautiful woman gave many open houses with delicious food and live music. She loved to shop at thrift stores and managed to furnish her home with treasures and dress herself with great style and creativity. She developed memory loss in her last few years, and her son Gary and daughter in law Jenny, found a beautiful assisted living facility, Chateau Madeleine, near them in Melbourne. She died a peaceful death in their loving care.