Joyce Marlene Moran Valdez

Joyce Marlene Moran Valdez, age 81, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2014 from Triple Negative Breast Cancer at her home in Bartow. Born July 2, 1933 in Tampa, Joyce was the daughter of the late Marvin and Mable Moran. She was the second of seven children and graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1952 before obtaining a degree in nursing from Gordon Keller School of Nursing in 1963. Joyce began her nurse’s training at Tampa General Hospital and later served as a Licensed Practical Nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Mrs. Valdez moved to Bartow in 2006 from Tampa where she had been a lifelong resident. She will be remembered for her strong Christian faith. She was a great cook, talented seamstress and embroiderer and a member of Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church in Bartow. Along with her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband Joseph Luis Valdez, her daughter Carol M. Valdez-Skriver, and her siblings: Murney Gagnier, Marcus Moran, Althea Farley, Allona Stapleton, and her cousin Shirley Dorman. Joyce is survived by a loving family that includes three daughters: Rosilind J. Valdez-Martinez (Greg) of North Fort Myers, Susan M. Valdez-Carvajal (late Jesus) of Bartow, Tina J. Valdez-Acord (Tim) of Jacksonville, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. She also leaves behind two siblings: Marvin Moran Sr. of Tallahassee, Jean Moran-Emnett (Don) of Riverview, numerous nieces and nephews and a special cousin Georgina McKnight Tuckey (Freeman) of Orlando. The family will receive friends Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 10 am to 11 am at the Christian Home Freewill Baptist Church, 1125 U.S. 17 South in Bartow. Funeral services will commence at 11:00 am at the church. Because progress has not been made in the way of successful treatment options for Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in lieu of flowers, if your heart is moved to do so, please make a donation in memory of Joyce Valdez to the American Cancer Society, specifically for Triple Negative Breast Cancer research, at Cancer.org/donate or 1-800-227-2345. Finally, the family would like to thank the Lakeland Regional Cancer Center team for the outstanding care given during the past 2 years, with special thanks to an angel on earth, Dr. Solange Pendas whose kindness and compassion gave our mother peace through her journey. Our family will be eternally grateful. We would also like to thank Good Shepherd Hospice for the kindness and compassion they showed during caring for our mother.