Niyla Joyce

Niyla A. Joyce



Aug. 27, 1938 - Feb. 22, 2019



Niyla was born to Stephen and Beverly B. Nemetz on August 27, 1938 in Altadena, California. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother Joe Nemetz, and is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dale Joyce.



Dale and Niyla moved to Wickenburg in 1976, along with the other members of Niyla's family, after vacationing several times at the Flying E Guest Ranch. Dale and Niyla purchased Prince's Stationary Store, which was located where Bedoian's Bakery and Bistro is now, in April of 1976, and changed the name to Stage Stop Stationers. Together they owned and operated the successful office supplies business until 1983 when they sold the store and Dale went into banking and Niyla went to work for Cliff and Nancy Pollay at PECO, where she was the indispensable office manager.



Niyla was active in community functions and was a past board director of the Community Hospital. Along with Dale, she especially enjoyed when the DC Ride came around, and they with other wives prepared, cooked and served the food for the Poor Boys at their Saturday night pre-party.



But unfortunately, Niyla was stricken with ovarian cancer in 1989, and along with it came a neurological disorder which ultimately landed this vibrant woman in a wheelchair, with severely limited use of her legs, hands, speech and vision. She survived two more bouts with cancer, two surgeries and two chemos, and then four strokes, the last of which couldn't be overcome. But throughout, she always kept her sense of humor, her sweet nature, and was friendly to all. Through the nearly thirty years of her disease, she carried on doing all she could do, with her devoted husband Dale always beside her.



There will be no services. Friends may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com Arrangements under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.