Burbank High Blog: Joyce Rudolph, BHS '73 (1954-2022)

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Joyce Rudolph, BHS '73 (1954-2022)

Joyce Roberta Rudolph Walker

May 5, 1954 - February 19, 2022

I am so sorry to learn that Joyce Rudolph passed away today from pancreaic cancer. I knew her from the alumni drill team and often read her articles in the Burbank paper.

Connie Barron Trimble posted on Facebook today...

Our dearest Joyce lost her fight today after a long and difficult battle. This is a text from Rick Mathewson, a true friend who cared for her throughout these difficult years.

"It is with great sorrow that I’m informing you that Joyce Rudolph Walker lost her battle with cancer at 3:04 PM today. I’ve never seen anyone fight as hard as she did for over 3 1/2 years with this terrible desease. She has been such an inspiration to me. I know she loved you all. I have no info on services at this time."

Love you Joyce. Your spirit will always be with me...

RIP Joyce.

FEBRUARY 20, 2022 UPDATE

A bit more about Joyce from a 2012 article...

BurbankNBeyond is extremely happy to welcome Joyce Rudolph to our staff. She now becomes the fifth member of the staff who was born and grew up in Burbank, giving BurbankNBeyond readers what they want most – local people who know Burbank.

Besides being born and raised in Burbank, Joyce graduated from Burbank High School, Class of 1973. She started at the Burbank Daily Review in 1975 while taking journalism classes at Valley College. She became features editor the summer after graduating from Cal State Northridge in 1978.

She wrote profiles about celebrities — Ron Howard and Debbie Reynolds–and community volunteers, as well as covered the major society events, like charity dinners and debutante balls.

Joyce remained a constant while the faces of editors changed and the paper evolved to twice a week and was tagged with a new name- Burbank Leader. In the 1980s she served as managing editor of the North Hollywood Weekly Review, a sub-product in the chain; was anchor of The Leader News Show on Sammons Public Access Cable Channel; and won first place in Lifestyle coverage for the Burbank Leader from the California Newspaper Publishers Assn.

She transferred to the Glendale News-Press in 1995 and remained features editor of both newspapers but added entertainment to her section, which continued to take home awards from CNPA. She retired in July 2011 and continues to write, publicize and volunteer for nonprofit agencies.

She had two major exclusives in her career. One was a commentary on the Women’s Council of Burbank failing to choose a Woman of the Year despite the high calibre women nominated, just because of an antiquated rule in the bylaws. The other was a news story on members of the Burbank Symphony who separated and started the Burbank Chamber Orchestra.

SOURCE: https://myburbank.com/legendary-joyce-rodulph-joins-staff-of-burbanknbeyond/

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...

Cathy Stone

Oh I am sorry to hear this. Fly with the angles now

Billie Lehm Thomas

So very sad..prayers to her family.

Brenda Rossie-soto

Prayers to family and friends

Carrie Diaz-Lathouwers

My condolences to all her family and friends. RIP

Gary Bric

We grew up together on Mansfield back in the 50's, what a beautiful, caring and loving lady. Rest in Peace.

Michael Ragan

Thank you Joyce for your love and caring for all things... Burbank! So proud to have known you... we can all learn that a simple smile ( like yours ) can Change our World .. for the Good! We will miss you....

Laurie Deatrick

She was such a kind, caring person. Her light will always sign

Judy Torres

Just the most beautiful soul ever!

Cheryl Bondy

So very sad. Burbank has lost a true gem. Joyce was a warm and genuine person who cared about the Burbank community. Fly with the angels

Joyce!

Sallie Shelton Thomas

I was just thinking of her the other day and wondering how she was doing. She had that great smile. Peace is hers now.

Katharin Bond

Rest In Peace Joyce

Mimi Slawoff Mendelson

This is so very sad. Joyce fought hard. Although I haven't seen her in years, we kept in touch through Facebook. I admired her positive attitude. She was my first editor - about 40 years ago! My first assignment was about the Burbank Salvation Army. RIP Joyce.

Bruce Smentek

R.I.P. my wonderful friend. I will miss you very much.

Trudie Lombard Hentze

Rest in peace, Joyce. She sure gave it a good fight. The Senior Bulldogs drill team will never be the same.

Sheryl Muskatell

Fly High Joyce. You left a lot of friends here on earth who loved you. Im glad for the 54 years of friendship. You fought a great fight. I know you are in Heaven with your Mom and pain free. Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.

Patti Thuotte Froelich

You will be missed sweet Joyce. Rest In Peace.

Mike King

Rest In Peace, all the people you touched in your life are missing you.

Karen Scozzola Doyle

My beautiful Joyce - You were my first boss ever (I think I was 16 or 17) at the Burbank Daily Review. I'll never forget your kindness and mentorship. I'll never forget YOU

Lisa DeHaven

RIP Joyce. Prayers for the family.

Jillian McDonald Kelly

So sorry for your loss

Susan Peña MacCaskey

She will be truly missed, met her at McCambridge Park swim lessons, she was a big sister to me, then reconnected in high school. Love

you sissy

Toni Ethridge

So very to hear this very sad news!

Cathy Coyle

I was so sad to hear this. I first met Joyce in 1985, when the BHS/JBHS Alumni Band & Drill Team started up. Joyce & Joanne Miller headed up the Drill Team & Baton Twirlers. We marched many parades, rain or shine. If the Band started up a new cadence, Joyce would make up a new routine. She was a true leader & her boots can never be filled. I was lucky to have called her my friend. Joyce fought a valiant battle with Pancreatic Cancer that we all prayed she would win. She had the best attitude & was always encouraging & helping others. She also had great writing skills, writing many articles as a Columnist for the Burbank Leader. Joyce was a beautiful soul with a beautiful smile. Rest In Peace dear friend.