Evelyn grew up living in Ward 7 in New Orleans, Louisiana with her Mother, Father, two brothers, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins enjoying Sunday family suppers after church, and the relations that bound them together in their day-to-day skirmishes. With her family, Evelyn stayed strong and worked hard facing segregated living in New Orleans with her father, Lloyd Dennis who worked for the government patrolling the train stations by the docks during the depression, while her mother Henrietta Dennis was a housewife ensuring the family was healthy and well grounded. Joyce went to school, worked hard, and was determined to receive a high-quality education. Joyce graduated from high school and was accepted to Xavier Catholic University in New Orleans where she earned her bachelor's degree in teacher education. As time went by Joyce met the man of her life at school, she was 16 and Matthew J. Marchand was 18 going in the navy. After Joyce's graduation from college, and Matthew's service in the navy was completed, the pair were married. Plans were made to make the move to Los Angeles with many job opportunities available in California, where Matthew accepted an airplane mechanic job with Douglas Aircraft Company, while Joyce became an elementary school teacher, albeit not for long. With many jobs available Joyce applied for a job at Pacific Bell Company ready to explore being a telephone operator which Evelyn accepted, without hesitation. Evelyn and Matthew started their family in 1949 with the birth of Matthew the 3rd with two more siblings on the way Marcelle, and Michael. Evelyn accelerated through the new American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in Los Angeles, where Evelyn worked hard earning promotions, while exhibiting high quality work ethics and performance. She was sent to training in Chicago learning new telephone technology, from which Evelyn started working with a team of men in the difficult task of creating circuit boards for television communications worldwide. Evelyn was promoted to a new position named " Chief Transmission Man", where she was responsible for communication transmissions for worldwide football games and sports, including the Rose Parade, and the Thanksgiving parade in New York city. One such occasion on an early morning, Evelyn climbed the Mt. Wilson repeater tower to repair circuit boards in time for President Nixon's aircraft to make a landing in Los Angeles. Such works stand as a testament to Joyce's relentless pursuit of excellence regardless of the task or assignment. These actions stand to demonstrate the example by which the Marchand family received its enduring strength. Evelyn enjoyed life with her family and friends and would want all of us to aspire in our Lord to surpass the example she left behind. Evelyn leaves behind two sons, a daughter, two grandchildren, a great granddaughter and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
