Joyce Lee Leer

Joyce Lee “Lydia” Leer passed to her rest on October 7, 2024, with loved ones present. Joyce Lee Daley was born on July 15, 1931, to Samuel Daley and Virginia Brennan. She was born on the beautiful island known as the “Pearl of the Antilles” in Vertientes, Camagüey, Cuba. Mami’s parents had emigrated to Cuba from Jamaica and were very respected members of their community. Her father was a renowned carpenter and her mother was a highly regarded midwife. Mami was an only child and throughout her childhood and youth she grew up in a household with servants as was befitting to her parents’ social status in the community. At some point in her childhood, she asked that her parents allow her to be called “Lydia” instead of Joyce as this was easier for her Spanish-speaking friends in the neighborhood. At an early age Mami developed a love of classical music and learned to play the piano. Her favorite composition was Fur Elise and we can recall hearing her play that many times over the years. 

Mami’s father joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church as the result of buying Christian books from a colporteur who also gave him Bible studies. When the time came for Mami to pursue higher education she was sent to El Colegio de las Antillas in Santa Clara. This was a denominationally operated junior college on the island. It was there that one day she met a dashing young man, about ten years older than her, and in time a love relationship of over 50 years ensued. The dashing young man’s name was José Leer and he happened to be the Cuban-born son of migrants from the Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao to be precise. 

Mami and Papi were married on June 14, 1951, in Cuba. To this marriage were born three beautiful children. Carlos was born in Camagüey and Samuel was born in Santa Clara in Cuba. Elisabeth was born in Curaçao. Our parents worked for many years for the denomination in various capacities. Mami was an exceptional pastor’s wife. She was very active in the ministry of her husband and led out in the lower divisions of children’s programs in church. Her creativity served her well in organizing and coordinating vacation Bible schools. Mami’s love of music led her to become a choir director in many of the churches where Papi was the pastor as well as in others where he was not. She also taught many young people the basics of playing the piano. Our parents’ work for the denomination took them to various islands in the Caribbean. They worked in Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Isla de San Andrés Colombia, Puerto Rico and the United States. A memorable event was sailing from Curaçao to Bonaire as a family with all our earthly belongings on board a vessel that didn’t appear to be seaworthy. It was a harrowing experience. 

In the early 1960’s Papi decided to obtain a bachelor’s degree and the family emigrated to the United States. After Papi obtained his degree from Andrews University, Mami studied to become an X-ray technician at Lake Michigan College. They eventually returned to the Inter-American Division and worked in Puerto Rico and Curaçao before retiring there. Their desire to be closer to their children led them to move to Avon Park, Florida. After Papi’s death Mami moved back to Berrien Springs where initially she lived independently and then for a time with Carlos and Gaie Lynne. 

As children we were blessed to have been given a firm foundation in biblically based principles and beliefs. Our parents held morning and evening devotions daily. Mami and Papi sacrificed a great deal to provide us with a Christian education. For that we are immensely grateful. As children our house was always filled with church members and friends dropping by, often unannounced, for visits with our parents. They were sought for their kindness, leadership, compassion, counsel, and guidance by those who observed in their lives the blessings of God.

Mami will be lovingly remembered for many things and especially for her sense of humor and delightful laughter. She was an impeccable homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking and entertaining family and friends, often sharing delicious Caribbean flavors. Mami loved to travel and more than once recounted how, well into her 80’s, she traveled alone to the Netherlands. She laughed often when recounting how the airline staff was amazed that she was traveling alone to visit her sister-in-law for her 100th birthday. 

As Mami’s disease progressed she required the care of competent healthcare professionals and was placed in Shangrila Home. While there she received superlative loving care from the proprietors Dyan and Andrea Tedjasukmana and then Joyce and Budiono Kertawidjaja. When her care exceeded that which was provided at Shangrila Home Mami was transferred to West Woods of Niles. We are very thankful to the staff for the excellent care they provided for Mami. We will always remember how beautifully they prepared her to attend Raysa and Juan’s wedding and reception. Mami looked stunning at both events. We also want to acknowledge the care and support provided by the hospice staff of Caring Circle of Spectrum Health Lakeland during Mami’s illness. Their knowledge, guidance, compassionate care and support for Mami over the years she was in their service helped to ensure her comfort and enhanced her quality of life. 

Mami was a very outgoing and social person and as such she developed many friendships during her lifetime. We want to thank members of her church family from the Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo día de Berrien Springs, Aurora Illinois, Valle Arriba Heights Puerto Rico, and Avon Park Florida for their frequent contacts which meant the world to Mami. We also wish to thank those who lovingly gave of their time to provide emotional and spiritual support to Mami by personally visiting her and enhancing her quality of life by their presence. She also appreciated the periodic outings on which she was taken. We want to especially acknowledge Alice Rasmussen, Debbie Montcalm, Diane Taber, Estelina Galva, Mencía Shelley, and Ivy Posada and her daughters. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, José María Leer Waster on June 14, 2004. Her daughter-in-law Ruth Leer preceded her in death on April 23, 1994. Mami is survived by her three children, Carlos Leer (Gaie Lynne), Samuel Leer (Susan), and Elisabeth Southworth (Carleton). She has the following grandchildren, Ian Martin (Ariel), Erin Martin, Raysa Leer-Gray (Juan), José Miguel Leer (Marilú), José Carlos Leer, Fernando Leer, and Aaron Kalynko (Bridget). She has three great-grandsons Tristan Martin, Aiden Samuel Leer and Hagen Kalynko. There are numerous loving and caring nieces and nephews in Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, the Netherlands and the United States. Mami is also lovingly remembered by Nora Meléndez and her extended family. Mami had many “hijos del corazón" (children of the heart), too many to list here, to whom she was “Mamá Lydia”. But we want to acknowledge Ernesto Marín-Torres, Pastor Israel Leito, David LaRondelle, Joshua Camelia (Sharon), André Artsen (Jesse), and Edward Lluberes.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 beginning at 4:00 PM at the Iglesia Adventista del Septimo dia de Berrien Springs, Michigan. 

The family appreciates every expression of condolences received. Please do not send flowers, but perhaps consider making donations to ADRA, ASAP, Your Story Hour or Neighbor to Neighbor. Many have commented on Mami’s personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and expressed their belief that she is “sealed for salvation”. We await the day when the trumpet of our Lord will call all His friends to everlasting life. This is our blessed hope.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, Michigan.