Joyce Marie Geils

Joyce Marie Mach Geils, 58, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, wife of George F. Geils, Jr., M.D. entered into eternal rest Monday, July 11, 2016. Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016 in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King Street at 11:00 a.m. Interment, Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun Street.

Joyce was born August 5, 1957 in Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of Clara Marie Leeds Mach and the late Albert Francis Mach. She earned her Master's Degree from Towson University and was a registered nurse. She met her husband working together in an ICU in Baltimore in 1990, and they were married on October 16, 1993 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Charleston, SC. She became a Nurse Manager and originally planned a career in nursing administration. However, once Hannah was born, she decided to stay home and become a "registered mom." She was a devoted mother, and raised two wonderful children, Hannah Marie, and George Frederick III who turned 18 the day before she died. She was proud to see George graduate from Porter-Gaud and achieve the rank of Eagle Scout a few weeks ago. She was a devoted, adoring wife, and was her husband's best friend. She lovingly supported her husband despite the long days that his work demands. She gave him an introductory course in racing cars for Christmas one year, and allowed him the relative insanity of his passion of racing. She was looking forward to the next chapter in their lives once George went off to college. They planned a river cruise in Europe this fall, something that she had wanted to do for a long time. She loved the beach, and relaxing on the river at their place on Wadmalaw Island, "Green Acres" as she affectionately referred to it.

She never lost her love for her roots in Baltimore and Ocean City, Maryland, and always looked forward to annual trips there to see family and friends. She regularly attended her Bible study group, and St. Matthew's Church services. She found strength in her faith, friends and family when she developed cancer 5 years ago. She won the battle with cancer, but ultimately died suddenly from late complications of the treatment she endured. Her husband was at her side through all of her medical challenges, but could not save her in the end. Through those years she remained incredibly resilient. Despite the stresses she endured, she remained kind and loving to her family and friends, a pillar of quiet strength to others.

Everyone who met Joy loved her and knew what a generous, special person that she was. Joy loved life. She was a positive person, and always wanted to help those in need. She especially loved dogs, and her German Shepherd Dog, Kaiser, was her constant companion. She supported Pet Helpers, and would check the updates daily from The Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary on Facebook.

She was a member of Circle 7 at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, the Charleston County Medical Society Alliance, and Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing.
She is survived by her husband, George F. Geils, Jr., M.D. of Mount Pleasant, SC; daughter, Hannah Marie Geils of Mount Pleasant, SC; son, George F. Geils, III of Mount Pleasant, SC; and mother, Clara Marie Leeds Mach of Mount Pleasant, SC.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, P.O. Box 93, Mt. Juliet, TN 37121, or OFSDS.org.