Obituary of Joyce Fishman

Joyce Donna Fishman was born October 24th, 1939 in Denver, Colorado to Henry and Anne (Borinsky) Leiser and was the beloved sister of Mort (Sue) Leiser and Dean (Anne) Leiser. Joyce graduated from East High School and was a travel agent for over forty years and retired at the age of 78. She is survived by her three daughters, and her brother Dean, who were by her side when she died. She was married to Ron Fishman for thirty-seven years, who pre-deceased her in January of 2020. Joyce and Ron were very proud of their children and their spouses: Lori (Fishman) and Chris Ello, Karen (Litvak) and Jamus Skelton, Julie (Fishman) and Dennis Pieper, Marcy Litvak and Will Pockman, Marc and Heather Fishman, Dianna Litvak and Brian Winn, and their seven granddaughters: Allison, Emily, Katie, Alexa, Ella, Lucy, and Madison.

Joyce had no sisters, but she had many lifelong friends who were like sisters to her. She had an active social life, including frequent get-togethers with her coffee klatch, Potluck Club, and canasta friends. She is remembered fondly by all who had the chance to experience her charm, wit, and funny stories. Joyce liked nothing more than a good meal with friends and family, a good martini (with 3 olives for peace, love, and posterity), and a movie, and she always took the opportunity to nap during the show.

The center of the family, Joyce loved to host parties, celebrations, and Jewish holidays, with a piping hot bowl of matzoh ball soup. People would come from all over to gather at Joyce’s, where there was a kind word, big hug, and plenty of delicious food and drinks. In fact, she will be quite angry to be missing her own funeral, given how badly she wanted to see her friends and family over the past year.

Joyce stood firm amidst great challenges in her personal life with a deep sense of resilience. While Joyce was healing from a broken hip, her husband Ron died in January 2020. Grieving over his loss, Joyce moved into High Pointe assisted living and had to adjust to widowhood just as the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic began. Though at first it was very hard, Joyce decided to make the best of it and became an important part of the High Pointe community. Every evening, a group of ladies could be found in Joyce’s apartment, keeping up with the news and chatting like old friends.

We will miss her smile, love of life, feistiness, and fantastic pep talks. She was a cheerleader to everyone around her and a relentless optimist, even in the worst circumstances. She was undoubtedly someone you wanted on your side. Being around Joyce made the world more colorful, fun, and joyful.

Public graveside service, April 25, at 11:00 AM, Mount Nebo Cemetery. Condolence calls from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on April 25 at Dianna Litvak and Brian Winn’s, 6098 Beeler Court, Denver, CO 80238. Bring your own chair, mask, and dress for the weather, as it will be outside. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Stink Bug Project (through the Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation) or the Denver Hospice.

Joyce's service can be viewed live via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86377594220?pwd=dlZrdDZ5QUdhM3FyVVJEenZ3akdPZz09
Meeting ID: 863 7759 4220
Passcode: 059691