Joyce cast a big shadow in the time she shared with us. Joyce was born in Los Angeles, CA, the first child of Henry and Fujiko Fukuhara. Much of her first five years were spent behind barbed wire in an internment camp in Manzanar, CA near Lone Pine, CA set up by the US government for West coast Japanese and Japanese-Americans. In 1945 her family relocated to Long Island and settled in Deer Park, NY.

She graduated from high school in Babylon, NY and enrolled at the State University of NY in Oneonta in 1958. She received her degree in 1962 and taught school in Livingston Manor, NY for one year. In 1963 she was married to Timothy Bowersox, whom she had met in college. In 1963 they transferred to Patchogue, NY and both taught in the Patchogue-Medford Public Schools for thirty years.

They bought a home in Bellport, NY and lived there for fifty years. In 2019 they moved to Bethlehem, PA to live in an independent living community.

Joyce was known for her generosity and also her talents in cooking and gardening. Joyce was an avid traveler and she and Tim traveled over a good part of the globe. She always liked literature, theatre and film. She was a member of the Manhattan Theatre Club and the Cinema Arts Center in Huntington, NY. She had a love for New York City and its museums, shops, and restaurants. She developed an interest in Ikebana and Sogetsu, Japanese schools of flower arrangement. She was a member of the NY chapter of Ikebana International NY Chapter. She developed an interest in fused glass and worked in that medium for over thirty years. She contributed her talent to the Greater NY Orchid Society until it was forced to disband.

Joyce is survived by her husband Tim, her brother Rackham, sisters Grace and Helen, one aunt, Lily, and many cousins.

There is not doubt that Joyce's strongest feature was her personality. She made many friends and her pleasant outlook made her a friend whose company they could remember. They loved her wit and high spirits.

Joyce's passing left a big void in many lives, but Tim will feel the loss the most. They shared a lot and it takes two to share.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Joyce to Ikebana International NY chapter and may be mailed to treasurer Shoko Iwata, 51 Gilbert Street, South Salem, NY 10590.

Please remember Joyce in your thoughts and prayers and that will bring comfort both to Joyce and Tim.