Joyce Julien's Obituary
On Friday, July 14, 2023, Joyce Kerlan Julien, a loving wife, sister, mother and grandmother passed away at her home in Aventura, Florida. She was 85 years old.
Joyce was born in Cedar City, Utah to Dr. Martin and Frances Kerlan. She spent her early years in Panama before later moving with her family to Johnson City, Tennessee where she lived until she went to college. Joyce graduated from the dietetics program at the University of Tennessee.
Joyce met the love of her life, Bruce, in 1960 while completing her internship in dietetics at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Always a woman ahead of her time, Joyce asked Bruce out for their first date which led to whirlwind romance and a wedding later that same year.
Soon after, Joyce and Bruce moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee where Bruce was a US air force physician. In 1965, they moved to Miami where they raised their family. Always eager to take on new challenges, Joyce shined brightly in her roles as PTA president and President of NCJW and various other leadership roles. An avid lifelong learner, Joyce earned her Master’s Degree from FIU in Dietetics in the 1970’s and continued taking various classes until she no longer could.
In 1979, Joyce became a pioneer and opened one of the first successful private practices in nutrition and dietetics. There she helped thousands of patients lead healthier lives through nutrition. Joyce also mentored countless other nutritionists. Her professional practice was a natural extension of her love for good health, cooking, baking, entertaining and eating out. She would often go to bed reading a new cookbook for recipes to try or tinker with to make them healthier. Joyce was happiest welcoming family and friends into her home and entertaining. She was known for setting a beautiful table with her various sets of dishes. Her beautiful table would oftentimes be set a week in advance. Joyce’s parties were filled with stimulating conversation, from history, to politics to books and art.
Joyce and Bruce together were strong supporters of the arts. They curated a unique collection of art and art glass. Joyce loved traveling frequently with her family and friends. Joyce and Bruce’s extensive global travels included meeting artists and learning about their craft.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband, Bruce, her brother, Robert Kerlan (Andrea), her three children, Cheryl Kaufman (Dana), Stephen Julien (Suely), Susan Cramer (Steven) and her 5 grandchildren, Jamie Julien (Harold), Lindsay Serviansky (Michael), Spencer Kaufman (Rachel), Jordan Julien (Ariel) and Matthew Cramer. The family requests donations be made in memory of Joyce Julien to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation,
www.jewishmiami.org.
Funeral services will be held at Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel, 18840 W. Dixie Highway. North Miami Beach, Florida 33180 on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 11:00 am followed by interment at Lakeside Memorial located at 10301 NW 25th St., Doral FL 33172.
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