Aug 26, 1931 - Apr. 17, 2025
Joyce Arlene (Flaherty) Roberts Gieszler
Joyce Arlene (Flaherty) Roberts Gieszler passed away peacefully in Richland, Washington, on April 17, 2025. She was 93.
Joyce was born in Fried, North Dakota, on August 26, 1931, the tenth of fifteen children born to Edward and Anna (Lester) Flaherty.
While living in Jamestown, North Dakota, she met Halford Roberts of Mississippi. They married in February 1950, and their son, Douglas Edward Roberts, was born later that year in Minnesota. In 1958, Joyce was widowed when Hal was tragically killed in California. She and Doug moved to Lodi, California, where they lived with her parents for a time. During that period, Joyce worked as the office manager for her brother Don’s Flaherty Brothers Body Shop.
It was in Lodi that Joyce met Tony Gieszler, the brother of Don’s wife, Lena. They married in March 1962. Not long after, Tony accepted a job in Pasco, Washington, and the couple moved to Richland, where they remained part of the Tri-Cities community for the rest of their lives.
Joyce worked in Richland for the Computer Science Corporation and Boeing, retiring after 20 years of dedicated service. Retirement didn’t slow her down-Joyce and Tony enjoyed traveling to visit family, and she found great joy in creating stunning quilts and cross-stitched pieces that became treasured gifts for her loved ones.
Joyce was known for her warmth, humor, and boundless love for her family and friends. She was a bright spirit-outgoing, generous, and endlessly creative. Her presence was a gift, and her memory will continue to be cherished by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers and five sisters; her first husband, Hal; their son, Douglas; and her beloved husband of 54 years, Tony.
Joyce is survived by her daughter-in-law, Kathy Roberts; grandchildren Nicole, Cory (Briana), and Martin (Courtney) Roberts; and great-grandchildren Makenzie and Marcus Roberts, Leviticus Geisler, and Brittney, Ryan, and Rachel Bland. She is also survived by Tony’s sons, Jeff (Debbie) Gieszler and Jerry (Pat) Anthony; grandchildren Brian (Sarah) Gieszler and Stephanie (Erik) Best; and great-grandchildren Kaden and Jaxon Best, Brighton Gieszler, and Adrian and Todd Holgate. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Mary Derby, and her brother, Gerry (Theresa) Flaherty.
Joyce’s life was defined by resilience, kindness, and love. She will be remembered for her strength through life’s trials, her generous spirit, and the joy she brought to everyone around her. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on in the warmth of her family, the beauty of her handmade creations, and the many cherished memories she leaves behind.
A funeral service to honor Joyce’s life will be held on May 2nd at 12:00 p.m. at Einan’s at Sunset, located at 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Heartlinks Hospice Care and the dedicated caregivers at Brookdale Torbett Memory Care for the compassionate support they provided during Joyce’s final days.