Joyce Glicksberg

Gainesville – Joyce Glicksberg, age 92 of Gainesville, FL, passed away at home on July 9, 2021, with her family by her side.  She was born November 15, 1928, in Chicago, IL to Harry and Cecilia (Larner) Kerzin.  The family moved to Coral Gables, FL a week before her first birthday, and one year later to Miami Beach where she was raised.  Joyce graduated in 1946 from Miami Beach Senior High School.  She attended Florida State College for Women her freshman year and transferred to the University of Florida after the state legislature made both schools coed in May of 1947.  At UF, Joyce started the Alpha Epsilon Phi (AEΦ) Sorority with her roommate and close friend, Jackie Freeman, in 1948 and has been connected with the sorority ever since.  She became a member of Trianon (the forerunner of Mortar Board), was elected to student government, and graduated from UF in June 1950 with a degree in history.  She taught for a year in LaCrosse, FL. Joyce got married on December 27, 1950, to her high school sweetheart, Mandell “Mendy” Glicksberg.  The newlyweds lived in Miami Beach where Mendy practiced law until he was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base.  They moved to Gainesville in 1953 when Mendy accepted a faculty position with the UF Law School. In Gainesville, they started a family and raised three children, Jodye, Susan, and David.  Joyce was very active in her children’s lives and served as president for two of their schools’ PTAs, Littlewood Elementary and Westwood Jr. High School.  She was a very creative person, especially “helping” her children with their school projects.    When the kids were older, she became a real estate agent and took pleasure in helping young families find their first homes.  She was an avid fan of the performing arts and liked going to plays, concerts, and musicals with her friends and family.  She was fond of reading romance novels and watching her favorite soap operas, General Hospital and All My Children.  She loved fresh flowers and enjoyed making flower arrangements.  Also, Joyce was a tennis enthusiast for many years at the 300 Club until her health prevented her from playing. Joyce never met a stranger and loved talking to anyone about her life and family.  She was a huge Gator fan and enjoyed going to UF football and basketball games and cheering them on loudly while Mendy sat quietly.  She and Mendy enjoyed traveling and went on trips with the UF Athletic Department and with Mendy’s professional associations.  Additionally, they visited many exciting countries on their own. Joyce particularly enjoyed Australia since she loved koala bears and was able to hold one while there. Family and friends were always an important part of Joyce’s life.  She is survived by her three children, Jodye Clark (Dan) of Tallahassee, Susan Hilton of Tallahassee, and David Glicksberg (Shaun) of Tampa; five grandchildren, Jessica, Julia, and Matthew Glicksberg, and Elena and Kevin Hilton; sister-in-law Joy Glicksberg, nephew Dr. Joe Glicksberg, and niece Rebecca Skipper.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Mandell, her parents, Harry and Cecilia Kerzin, and her brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Glicksberg.  The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the administration and caregivers of Concierge Care of Gainesville, especially Penny Bryan, Angela Williams, Tabitha Durden, and Melinda Dinkins for their devoted attention and care.  They will always hold a special place in our hearts.  Deep appreciation and gratitude also go to Dr. Joel E. Rich, for his compassionate care of Joyce for many years.  Additional thanks go to Haven Hospice, especially Dr. Geraldine Bichier, Misty Cone, Wanda Sanchez, Justina Bukowski, Kyle Bunnell, and Christine Kimbrell. Joyce will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and true friend.  She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her. Services are private.  A celebration of life will be announced at a later time.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33^rd Street, New York, NY 10016; Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90^th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606; or the UF Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville, FL 32604-9949.  Arrangements are in the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home.  An online guestbook is available at www.forestmeadowsfh.com.