Obituary of Joyce M. Olafson

Joyce M. Olafson passed away peacefully at the William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was 92. She had resided lately at Life Care Center of Palm Bay where she enjoyed bingo, arts and crafts activities, and especially the musicians who came to entertain the residents, prior to the pandemic.

Joyce was pre-deceased by her husband of 33 years, H. Jack Olafson, and her daughter Joyce Beth Possien. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Cota Possien Kania and husband Steve, of South Plainfield NJ, Judy Dennig and husband Rick of Malabar, FL, Sandy Ballantyne of West Palm Beach; seven grandchildren, Thomas A. Jones of Zephyrhills, FL; Danielle M. Strang of Millington, NJ, and Ed Kania and wife Nicole of Brick NJ, Samantha Matthews and husband Norbert of St. Petersburg, FL, and Sabrina Dennig. Joyce has seven great-grandchildren Brittany, David, Lane, Clayton, Sydney, Jackson and Kennedy Jane, as well as three great-great
grandchildren Scarlett, Francesca, and Harper Rose.

She enjoyed a career as a professional registered nurse completing her degree at Florida International University in Miami, FL where she became director of nurses at Purdue Medical Center.

After she and Jack retired, and moved to Palm Bay, post Hurricane Andrew, she became involved in the Ladies Auxiliary Fleet Reserve Association (LA FRA) and served as President of the Southeast Region during her membership. She and Jack enjoyed their involvement with the Fleet Reserve and traveling the region and country attending to the needs of fellow veterans
and their families.

Joyce was an avid reader,and crafter and cut a mean rug with Jack at various functions and celebrations. She was hoping to be able to return to Sanibel Island to gather more shells someday.

Visitation is Sunday, March 14th from 10-12, at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care at 950 Malabar Rd. SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907. Burial will be at the National Cemetery at Bushnell on Monday, March 15 at 1:30. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory to one of her favorite places would be greatly appreciated: The Brevard Zoo, 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940  https://brevardzoo.org

She particularly loved the giraffes!