Joy Ann Espeleta

>Born on September 3, 1947 in Menominee, Michigan
Departed on December 15, 2021 in Rockledge, Florida

It is with great sadness we announce that Joy Ann Espeleta, 74, of Melbourne, passed away on Wednesday December 15, 2021. Joy is survived by her daughter Julie (Mowder) Emerson’ her son Todd Mowder and his wife Christina; four grandchildren Taylor, Eric, Matthew and Kerissa Mowder; granddaughter-in-law Jackie Paradis-Mowder; great granddaughter Ellie Mowder; and brother James Ambos. Joy was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Evelyn Ambos and her children’s father Jack Mowder.

Born in Menominee, MI on September 3, 1947, Joy moved to Melbourne with her parents and brother in 1954. She graduated 9th in her class from Melbourne High School and attended the University of Florida for a short tine before beginning her career with the Department of Defense as a GS-s on July 11, 1966 at Patrick AFB, Florida where she met and married Airman Jack Mowder. Divorced in 1980, Joy raised two children and traveled the world while advancing her career as a military logistics specialist with the Air Force, then the Army, working and living in Florida, North Carolina, Panama, the Philippines, Okinawa, Korea, Texas, Kuwait, and Northern Virginia. She retired as a GS-14 at Ft. Belvoir, VA on October 3, 2007 an moved back to Melbourne in 2009. (continued further):

Family and friends will meet at a later date for a ceremony to scatter Joy’s ashes in the Atlantic Ocean where the ashes of her parents were scattered. In lieu of flowers, a donation on memory of Ms. Espeleta can be made to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research: NETRF, P.O. Box 170662, Boston, MA 02117 Link.

3 entries.

todd e mowder from Casselberry wrote on December 16, 2021:

I love you Mom. Thank you for being you. You will always be loved & missed.

Margie Phipps from Melbourne wrote on December 16, 2021:

I met Joy when she was walking her dog Rea in the neighborhood. We became friends and discovered that we both worked for the government Civil Service. She spoke often over lunch about her career which was very impressive. I will truly miss her and her sense of humor and her soups. Rest in Peace my friend. Love you!

Julie Emerson from Melbourne wrote on December 16, 2021:

Mom you have always been a special women, sharp as a tack and quick with the wit. I love you very much and I will miss you terribly. I will take care of Ria so don't you worry. Rest peacefully, your struggle is over. Much Love, Your Daughter Julie Emerson