Obituary of Joyce Adrienne Maddy

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Joyce’s name to:  ALS United Mid-Atlantic 1015 Virginia Dr, Suite 110, Fort Washington, PA. 19034  ALS United Mid-Atlantic (alsmidatlantic.org)

Joyce Adrienne Maddy was born on August 13,1968 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Robert Keyte and Alice Arzela Thompson.  At an early age, Joyce was taught the value of hard work, the love of others, the importance of education and devotion to God. During her time spent at the Christian Campers summer camp these virtues were consistently reinforced by the Head Counselor of the camp who was also her dad.

Joyce attended Philadelphia High School For Girls where she excelled in track and field and was on the school’s long distance running team.  Joyce enrolled in Philadelphia Community College after high school and went on to attend
Temple University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Human Resources and minor in Finance in 1991. While attending Temple Joyce worked at Tasty Baking Company to assist with the cost of tuition.

Joyce met the love of her life, Herb Maddy, during her final year at Temple University and they married on November 15,1997 in Philadelphia, PA. From their union came their loving and beautiful daughter, Aliyah Nicole, Joyce’s pride and joy. Joyce was a devoted and loving mother and wife, and her family was always the center of her universe. She was the engine that kept it running. She routinely sacrificed her personal interests for those of her family and that
continued during her illness and up to her final days.

Joyce was always the one planning the family vacations and outings. She exposed Aliyah to a variety of sports and activities at an early age and stressed the importance of an education and a balanced life. Nothing made her prouder than when she learned Aliyah had been accepted at Stanford University.

Joyce’s professional career began with a 2-year stint at Johnson and Johnson in Piscataway, NJ in their Human Resources department. She moved back to Philadelphia in 1993 to work at First Union Bank.  Joyce ‘s final employment started in 2001 at Bank of America (BOA) where for the last 22 years she worked as a Trust Account Officer in the Philanthropic Solutions group until her devastating ALS diagnosis in 2022. Joyce’s co-workers at BOA were her family away from home and were extremely supportive during her courageous battle with ALS. They formed The Madd Walkers team on Joyce’s behalf to provide awareness, support, and encouragement during her battle with ALS and were instrumental in raising funds on her behalf for ALS patients and research.

Joyce's life story should not be defined by the last 2 years of her life when she battled ALS with grace, humility, courage, and strength. For 54 years, Joyce lived a fulfilled and quality life. She was a spiritual person and to know Joyce was to love Joyce. She never met a stranger and was selfless, compassionate, unassuming, and consistently exhibited empathy towards others. She had a pragmatic, practical and cautious personality and always made a positive and lasting impact on those she crossed paths with. She gave all of herself to everyone, especially the kids. She loved interacting with children and treated each as her own. During Christmas it was customary for Joyce to not only buy gifts for the children she knew intimately but also for the neighbors and her coworkers’ kids. Countless times when Aliyah was growing up, Joyce would gather Aliyah and her friends and take them for treats and whenever Aliyah’s neighborhood friends wanted an adult to take them somewhere Joyce was always their first choice.

Joyce loved the simple things of life. She loved to dine with family and friends and treasured a vast array of international and American cuisines. Joyce was also known for hosting Thanksgivings dinner with a twist for her extended family. Her Thanksgiving baby back ribs and broiled salmon were second to none. Joyce loved travelling and always kept her camera and video rolling during her trips. The outdoors was her Zen space. She loved visiting the Jersey shore with friends and family to watch the sun rise and set and listen to the waves. Joyce was known for taking leisurely walks in the park with friends and family or by herself. This, along with gardening in her backyard and reading a book on the deck at night while gazing at the stars, was her way of connecting with Mother Nature.

Joyce was also an avid music listener. She fell in love with Soca, Zouk and Afro Beat following her introduction to her first Liberian Grand March. During her ALS battle, her favorite Socasong, Mr. Fete, was routinely played to lift her sprints.

In the early morning of September 2, 2024, her spirit escaped the bondage of ALS and went Home to her Lord and Savior.

Joyce leaves to cherish her memories: her husband Herb Maddy, her daughter Aliyah Maddy, her brother Glenn Thompson, her immediate family, her BOA family and a host of relatives, in-laws, and friends. Rest in perfect and everlasting peace my gentle soul mate until we cross paths again.