Joyce H. Fairchild

Joyce H. Fairchild
April 15, 1946 – November 7, 2017
Joyce was born in Chaffee, MO to Edna (Baker) and Oliver Peter Hendricks. She was raised in an Air Force family, who moved from duty station to duty station. The lasting effects of her mobile early life were that she was very quick to form lasting friendships, was very outgoing, and eventually established a deep, strong, visceral sense of home.
Education was exceedingly important to Joyce. She excelled in school throughout the early years, in high school, and in college as a business major. She earned two Master degrees in finance and marketing: one from Virginia Commonwealth University (formerly Richmond Professional Institute) and one from George Mason University. She studied abroad in Prague and Budapest and was a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan and South Korea. For over 30 years, Joyce taught International Business and Marketing at Virginia Community College where she was a full Professor and Associate Dean.
Joyce was an avid reader. She loved movies and to garden and to travel. She loved art and art history and fashion and fashion history. She was kind, generous, and devoted to her family and friends. Whenever there was a chance to help someone, she jumped at the opportunity. She spent hours volunteering at the LA Arboretum, working in the Gift Shop and leading school tours. She was member of the Compulsive Garden Club, the Monrovia Historical Preservation Group, and the Art Deco Society of LA.
Joyce is survived by her husband (Lincoln), her daughters (Andrea and Karen), her sisters (Pat, Becki, and Nancy), her granddaughters (Tallula and Samantha), and her grandson (Ben). We all miss her enthusiasm, her intelligence, and her wonderfully keen and frank observations on life. A celebration of Joyce's life will be held Sunday, January 21 at 2 PM at the LA County Arboretum. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in her name to the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007.