Joyce Martin Somers earned her angel wings an October 15, 2022. Mrs. Somers was born on July 4 ,1933 in the Bronx. N.Y., daughter to Cyril F. Martins and Clara Ferreira-Cabral Martins of Georgetown, British Guyana, New York City, NY., and Pacific Palisades, CA.
Joyce attended Cathedral H.S. in Manhattan, NY graduating in June, 1950: continuing her education at Syracuse University, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1954. With a major in journalism, she joined the Copy
Department of Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn advertising agency in NY where she worked as an executive secretary/copy writer until marriage and family became her highest priorities.
Joyce married John R. Somers on May 21, 1955. They had three children Eileen Stobbe Smith, Mary Schlitz
Kulikowski, and Carlos Somers. Joyce worked at UCLA from 1968- 2012: She managed international students in the seismology laboratory for thirty-three years as a Senior Editor for Professor Leon Knopoff, Professor of Physics, Geophysics and Musicology, and Director of the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, and as administrative assistant to Professor William Schopf, Department of Earth and Space Sciences.
A pleasant, smiling, gregarious woman who asked too many questions Joyce had a wide assortment of life-long friends, some for more than sixty years. An avid world traveler she loved going on cruises with her dearest friend Sue Willson.
She was active in senior groups in Pacific Palisades, CA. She also participated as guild chairman of Holy Eucharist Guild, Corpus Christi Church, member of the Sierra Club, Faculty club at UCLA. She also was a member of several gyms in the Los Angeles area.
Survived by her beloved son Carlos, son in law Ron, Six grandchildren; Pam, Michael “aka Boomer”, Kayla,
Michael G., Vikki, and Kyle and nine great grandchildren; Alexa, Rylan, Violet, Paisley, Grace, Olivia, Winter, Liam, and Rosily. May we forever remember Joyce as compassionate, supportive, and guiding/ mentoring.