Joyce Marie Abrahamsen, age 58 years, of Pensacola, FL, died peacefully on August 1, 2019 in the Hospice Unit at Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola, FL.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, January 15, 1961, she was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Solveig Andersen Andresen. Growing up in Brooklyn, she had formerly lived in Sound Beach, NY and had resided in Pensacola for the past three years.

A woman of immense joy and talent, Joyce will be remembered as a person whose heart was filled with the love of Christ and who used her earthly presence to help show others the wonder of Christ’s love.

Attending the University of West Florida, she earned her B.A. in music performance. She would later go on to attain her M.A. in music performance from Queen’s College. Always thirsting for education, she also earned a B.A. in elementary education from St. Joseph’s College in New York.

Joyce worked as a US post office letter carrier in NYC for several years in the 1980s and was later a music teacher at South Shore Christian School in Levittown NY. The majority of her work career, although it was never work for Joyce, was serving as a recreational therapist at the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center in Brooklyn, NY. She would also later serve as the director of development for their foundation. In between all that, Joyce would also substitute teach in Brooklyn; she managed to help all ages during her professional career.

She also worked for a time at Pensacola Christian College in the reservations department, as well as with the Abeka Book Ministry, where again, her bright smile, warm demeanor and strong faith helped many.

Her gift of music was something that helped her both personally and professionally. A mezzo-soprano, she enjoyed singing in church and in various local productions. She also sang some opera in and around Manhattan. Joyce always used her singing to help lift others spirits and also to glorify God and minister to those in need.

When speaking of Joyce, one must also speak of her beloved husband, Arne. The two, who lived three doors down on the same block in Brooklyn, had a love that was contagious and made anyone who knew the couple, smile. They supported each other in all their endeavors, and Arne, who was also a pastor, credits his ministry to Joyce’s unwavering support and selfless and unending love.

The last year has showed the couple’s love never faltering as Joyce battled cancer. She fought a valiant battle and no doubt heard the words of Timothy (2 Timothy 4:7-8) echo in her soul as she closed her eyes to Earth and opened them to her new heavenly home, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

To all those whose hearts are aching, please imagine Joyce singing this wonderful hymn, Blessed Assurance, and in it, please find hope:

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Surviving are her loving husband, Arne Abrahamsen; her siblings, Jean and Rev. Bob DiSalvio, Robert and Janet Andresen, Douglas Andresen, and Lois and John Ward; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gladys and Bernie Lenihan; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and many dear friends.

Joyce will lie in repose on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Amwell Church of the Brethren, 40 Sandbrook Headquarters Road, Stockton, NJ 08559 (Delaware Township), under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Funeral services officiated by Joyce’s brother-in-law, Rev. Bob DiSalvio, will follow the visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the church.

Burial will follow in the family plot at New Lower Amwell Cemetery, Delaware Township, NJ (located within walking distance of the church).

Please visit Joyce’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a memorial candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in Joyce’s honor may be made to the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center, 1250 67th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”