Joyleen T. Vaisa

Joyleen Vaisa, age 84, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, went on to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior on December 24, 2022. Joyleen died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her children, and grandchildren.

Joyleen was born in Peralta, New Mexico and attended Los Lunas High School where she played clarinet in the marching band. After graduating High School in 1957, Joyleen worked at Kirtland Airforce Base as a secretary. In 1959, she and a girlfriend took a “trip of a lifetime” aboard the Queen Mary to Europe, where they toured multiple countries throughout the continent; it was a special time that she always remembered fondly.

Joyleen met Gillie, her husband of 61 years, in high school. After graduation, Gillie did a four-year tour in the navy and although at times they were separated by thousands of miles of ocean, they never stopped loving each other.  After finishing his service in the Navy, Gillie made his way back to Peralta, where he proposed to Joyleen and the two were married on Saturday, August 20,1960.

Joyleen continued to work at Kirtland Airforce Base until the birth of her first child, Gary in 1961, after which she became a full-time homemaker. Joyleen and Gillie later had two daughters, Marlene and Beverly, born in 1962 and 1965, respectively. In addition to having her hands full with a husband and three children, Joyleen was very active in her community. For many years she taught Catechism and volunteered tirelessly at her children’s schools. She also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Casa Angelica, a home for special needs children, manned the TBN prayer line and taught Bible studies at various nursing homes in the Albuquerque area.

Joyleen recognized fulfillment through her family came from her strong faith, which was the most important thing in her life. Joyleen became a member of New Beginnings Church in 2002, where she and Gillie served in multiple capacities - as ushers, making coffee every Sunday and Joyleen taught in the children’s church program throughout the years. Beginning in the 80’s, Gillie and Joyleen hosted a weekly Bible study in their home where everyone was welcome. She loved to share Jesus with others and would do so with family, friends and strangers alike.

Joyleen was preceded in death by her husband Gillie, her parents, Jesus and Rufina Sanchez, and her brother, Fred Sanchez. She is survived by her sisters, MaryAnn Vigil and Angela Sanchez, children Gary (Della), Marlene, and Beverly (Steve), Grandchildren, Gillie Vaisa (Priscilla), Audrey Villarreal (Chris), Andrea Vaisa (Devin), her great grandchildren, Kylie Vaisa, Noah Vaisa, Jacob Villarreal, Isaiah Villareal and Jace Vaisa. She had a multitude of nephews, nieces, and close friends that she loved dearly.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, January 7^th, 2023, at 12:00PM noon at New Beginnings Church, 4770 Montgomery Blvd NE Suite B110, Albuquerque, NM, 87109

 If you wish to make a donation in Joyleen's memory, one of Joyleen’s favorite charities was Samaritan’s Purse.