Joyce D. Nagel

Obituary

On October 12, 1940, Joyce D. Nagel was joyfully welcomed into the world by her parents, George and Charlotte DeGennaro. Joyce was the first of four daughters and grew into a strong, determined woman who loved cooking and long, warm conversations with family, friends, and whoever else would listen.

Joyce grew up in Valley Stream, Long Island, New York, alongside her sisters Judy, Joanne, and Georgene (Jeanie), and her close cousin Carole. She was determined to make her mark on the world. Joyce had a strong bond with her father, George, and always stood up for her sisters when needed. She was also quite crafty, using the “op language” with her sister Judy so they could talk without their parents knowing what they were saying.

Joyce was very eager to do it all—starting a family while also building a career. She began her professional journey by earning an associate’s degree. She was working and studying to become a switchboard operator when she became pregnant with her son, Peter. After several years devoted to her family, she ultimately returned to work and excelled for more than 40 years as an office manager, mostly in law offices. She mastered writing in shorthand and had a remarkable ability to keep everyone, and everything organized. Joyce loved working and did not retire until she was 72.

Joyce’s journey through life began in Valley Stream, where she met and married George Nagel in 1959. Together, they raised their son Peter and daughter Jill and lived in Brentwood, Long Island, New York. In 1972, Joyce moved to Babylon with Peter and Jill and her new husband, Frank P. Hoare. In 1985, Joyce, Frank, and Jill moved west to California, where son Peter had started working after college. Joyce and Frank found their California home in Torrance and remained there together until her passing.

Joyce came from a classic Italian family, and her greatest joy was cooking for her family. She loved cooking for the holidays—or, in her case, organizing an Italian feast for her family. She took cooking to the next level, starting weeks in advance by assembling a document with the agenda and menu, which she proudly sent to everyone ahead of time. She also insisted on knowing who was coming weeks in advance so she could visualize the dinner table and make sure she had enough food to feed twice the number of people attending.

After a long, rich, and gracious life, Joyce D. Nagel has journeyed home to heaven, where she joins her beloved parents, George and Charlotte; her sisters Judy and Joanne; her close cousin Carole; her nephew Corey; and her brother-in-law Jimmy.

Joyce is survived by her loving family, whom she will be watching over from heaven—her beloved husband, Frank; son Peter; daughter Jill; sister Georgene (Jeanie); brothers-in-law Bob, Carl and David; daughter-in-law Kristina; son-in-law Greg; her two treasured grandchildren, Austin and Julia; nieces Jessica, Joyce and Kelly; nephews Glenn, Kevin, Robert, and Scott; and nieces-in-law Amy, Cathy, Marlene, and Sarah.

We will all miss the long conversations with Joyce and her exquisitely planned and prepared holiday meals. It is likely that she has already taken over the kitchen in heaven—planning the events and cooking for everyone there. Joyce is resting safely in the arms of the Lord now, watching over us and encouraging us from above.

A Memorial Service celebrating Joyce’s life will be held at 10:00 AM PT on Friday, October 16, 2026, at St. Catherine Laboure Church, 3846 Redondo Beach Blvd., Torrance, CA 90504.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to Joyce’s favorite cause—helping and protecting animals at ASPCA.org.

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Memory wall