Joyce Marie Riquelme

Sacred to the memory of Joyce Marie Riquelme, 63, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Thursday, October 7, 2021, in the comfort of her Titusville home. Though born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Joyce was a lifelong resident of Brevard County, Florida. Over the course of her full life, she accomplished anything she set her mind to. Graduating summa cum laude from the University of South Florida with a degree in clinical chemistry, she worked briefly for Smith, Kline, and French before embarking on her career in the space industry: first at Rockwell International, and then as a civil servant for NASA. There she held many roles, first as a thermal, mechanical and structures systems engineer on the Space Shuttle, to retiring as the Director of Center Planning and Development at KSC.  In her private life, Joyce enjoyed travelling the world with her family and friends, growing her victory garden, and nurturing her gift as a talented painter. Joyce also selflessly dedicated herself to her community, serving in positions with the USO, FL Fish and Wildlife, and in multiple ministries at Titusville’s Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church.

Joyce is survived by her Mother Marlene Young; husband Juan, her two daughters Katherine Cary and Kaylyn Riquelme; son Kyle Riquelme; sisters Laura Pingston and Michelle Hayes; and her two grandchildren, Leia and Lucas.

All are welcome to Saint Teresa of Avila, in Titusville on Thursday, October 21, 2021, for visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. immediately followed by funeral mass at 11 a.m. and closing with interment at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 2 p.m.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.