Joyce Stutzer, age 90, passed away peacefully January 17, 2019 in Scottsdale, AZ. She was born March 3, 1927 in Minneapolis. After attending North High School, she married her beloved Jerry, a few years after he had served in the Army during World War II. They joined many of the area’s Jewish population in starting a household in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, and enthusiastically contributed to a thriving social circle of similarly situated Jewish friends. She stayed at home raising her boys – Wayne and Michael – until they were old enough to permit her to join Jerry at work in his shoe store. Eventually her brothers Harold and Jory Savitt and her son Wayne had all relocated to Phoenix. By 1977, good weather and a business opportunity in Scottsdale induced their relocation as well. Some will remember her working in their women’s clothing store, called A Touch of Class on McCormick Ranch. Many, including other migrants and visitors from their social circle, will remember them socially. Once retired, Joyce found it hard to lose the knack for closing a sale, so worked part-time selling women’s golf attire (yes, she did golf occasionally, benefiting from long rolls enabled by the parched earth of publinks fairways). She was a member of Temple Chai in Phoenix, continuing in Jewish ways of life learned from her parents, Phil and Selma Savitt of Minneapolis, and from her Jewish education through confirmation at its Beth El Synagogue.

She was preceded in death by her parents Phil and Selma Savitt, her brothers Harold and Jory and sister Estelle (Crohn), and her son Wayne Stutzer of Phoenix. She is survived by her son Michael Stutzer of Boulder, Colorado and his wife Gina. They and many others, including several nieces and nephews, will continue to remember Joyce’s inimitable ways. Graveside funeral services will be held at 9:00am on Monday, Jan. 21, in Paradise Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 9300 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Contributions in her memory are suggested to Temple Chai Shalom Center, 4645 E. Marilyn Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032 or charities of your choice. Arrangements by Sinai Mortuary.