In Memory of Joyce Vandevere

February 17, 1927 – February 17, 2021

HONORING THE LIFE OF JOYCE RYDER VANDEVERE

Read into the United States Congressional Record
by the HONORABLE JIMMY PANETTA
OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, April 8, 2021

Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today
to honor the life of teacher, activist, and social
justice advocate, Joyce Ryder Vandevere,
who recently passed away at the age of 94 on
February 17, 2021.

Joyce’s parents met while students at UC
Berkley and instilled Joyce with the value of
education and a firm sense that she could accomplish
anything she set her mind to. Joyce
graduated from Pomona College in 1948 and
earned a master’s degree in Psychology and
Child Development from Stanford in 1950.

Upon receiving her degrees, Joyce became director
of a preschool in San Francisco where
she would be introduced to prominent progressive
leaders, including labor leader Harry
Bridges. It was during this period that Joyce
developed a commitment to social justice and
equality.

In 1956, with her husband Judson
Vandevere, Joyce moved to Monterey, where
she would reside for the rest of her life and
dedicate her time to social service and political
activism on the central coast of California.

During the Vietnam War, Joyce worked to provide
soldiers at Ft. Ord with counseling and
other services that would otherwise be unavailable
to them. Additionally, she was an advocate
for prison reform and worked with
Friends Outside to support the families of incarcerated
individuals.

Joyce returned to her teaching career in the
1960s as a volunteer teacher with Head Start
in Seaside, California. In 1971, she co-founded
the Learning Community, an open classroom,
alternative program at Seaside’s Del
Rey Woods School, and would continue to
teach until 1988.

Further, Joyce was a co-founder of the local
chapter of the Women’s International League
for Peace and Freedom, the Peace Coalition
of Monterey County, and the Monterey Peace
and Justice Center. She remained active in all
these organizations until her death. Joyce
even learned to code and designed relational
databases while in her 70s to produce a
weekly Peace calendar.

Joyce’s life is celebrated by her children,
Keith and Gwyn, her three great-grandchildren,
and her numerous nieces and nephews.
Joyce’s meaningful legacy of service and
advocacy will always endure with the people
living on the central coast of California.