Joyce Markel Brown

Joyce Markel Brown, 91, born September 13, 1932 in Orange, California, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2023, in Orange, California. Joyce was raised in Santa Ana by her parents Helena and Ogden Markel. She attended St. Joseph School, St. Anne School, and Santa Ana High School, where she excelled as a softball player. Joyce studied Home Economics at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, where she met and maintained numerous close friends over the course of her life.

Joyce was very active in volunteering around the community. She was one of the founders of Angelique Guild, the fundraising arm for Holy Family Adoption Agency, and served as a Catholic Charities board member for many years. She once was Catholic Woman of the year, proud member of Soroptimist International of Santa Ana/Tustin and loved her time with PEO Chapter JJ. But, her most important work was volunteering for the activities and sports of her four Brown Boys. She was team mom more than twenty different times, classroom mom just as many times, drove to and watched all of their games, often ran the NESALL snack bar, and loved every minute of it!

Joyce is now joyfully reunited with her husband, the love of her life, Harold LeRoy Brown, parents Helena and Ogden Markel, sister Sr. Mary Louis, CSJ, and brother Jules Markel.  She is survived by her twin sister Louise Callens, and her four Brown Boys: Vincent (Cherie), Gregory (Carol), Mark (Linda) and Gerran (Sarah).  Most importantly, she is survived by her thirteen “angel” grandchildren:   Michael Brown, Molly (Jerod) Cronquist, Lindsay Brown, Samantha (Royce) Duncan, Emilee Brown, Conor (Katelyn) Brown, Gerran Mark Brown, Betsy Brown, Dillon Brown, Joseph Brown, Tommy Brown, Meg Brown, Zachary Brown, and her five, precious great grandchildren, Avery & Austyn Cronquist, James & Jackson Duncan, and Annie Brown, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, may we suggest donating in her name to:

Catholic Charities of Orange County

12141 Lewis St., 11th Floor, Garden Grove, CA 92840

St. Joseph Catholic School

727 N. Minter St., Santa Ana, Ca 92701

Mater Dei High School

1201 W. Edinger St. Santa Ana, Ca 92707         

Soroptimist International Santa Ana/Tustin

P.O. Box 1281, Santa Ana, Ca 92702

Please be advised, the entrance to the parking area for the Sacred Heart chapel is off of La Veta.   between Batavia and Pepper St. enter off of La Veta, then take first right.

For the Mass, we have secured parking at the Ebell Club, 1/2 block west of the church, Santa Ana Blvd.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Markel Brown, please visit our floral store.