Joyce Vise, known for Nashville community service, 'sharing her blessings' has died at 69
In Nashville, Joyce Vise was known as a woman of service with varied interests and a track record that included work with the Temple congregation, Cumberland University in Lebanon and the Swan Ball gala benefitting Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, to name a few.
“She was dedicated to community service," Vise's siblings, David Vise and Judy Schaengold, said in a statement Monday, three days after her death at the age of 69. "She wanted to be involved and focused on ways she could help the community in one way or another."
The daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Vise taught in Metro Nashville Public Schools before she became a communications and community relations director for the district in 1986. She was also involved with Family and Children’s Services in Nashville, her siblings said.
Family legacy was an important part of her life.
Both of Joyce Vise's grandfathers were imprisoned at Nazi concentration camps in Germany during World War II. Her father, Harry Vise, managed to escape from a window and eventually made it across the border into Holland after a raid on the family's home in Germany.
After arriving in the U.S., the family settled in Clarksville. Harry Vise eventually founded the Texas Boot Co. in Lebanon and joined Cumberland University's Board of Trust.
Cumberland's Doris & Harry Vise University Library is named for Joyce Vise's parents. During her life, she continued to support of the school in multiple ways, spokesperson Joey Clark said.
In 2020, Joyce Vise spoke at Cumberland during an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event.
“Joyce Vise was a friend to me, personally, and certainly to Cumberland University,“ Cumberland President Paul Stumb said. “...We are reminded of the many ways that she and her wonderful family have positively impacted the lives of so many students. Her legacy and that of the Vise family will live on in perpetuity here at Cumberland University."
Joyce Vise was also a “proud member of The Temple and Jewish community,” The Temple Senior Rabbi Michael Danziger said. Her devotion to faith led her to continue the chant of sacred blessings during Rosh Hashanah at The Temple, which her father had done for decades before his death in 2015.
“She was involved a lot as a planner and donor and was really a sustainer of lots of different efforts in town and felt very strongly about being helpful and sharing her blessings,” Danziger said.
A graveside service has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at Temple Cemetery, 2001 15th Ave. N., Nashville.
Shiva will follow at 6 p.m., in the chapel of The Temple with a reception to follow.
Vise is survived by her sister, Judy (Mark) Schaengold, brother David (Lori) Vise and four nieces.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Temple, 5015 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN., 37205.
Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Middle Tennessee community service leader Joyce Vise dies at 69
