Dr. Joyce K Morton Wiles

Oma’s Obituary

Dr. Joyce K Morton Wiles, 80, of Corona del Mar passed away on June 11, 2012.

Joyce was born on a 1931 Thanksgiving in Los Angeles to Eleanor and Anthony Keppeler and had one older brother Joseph. An outstanding student, she attended Manuel Arts High School in LA and earned an academic scholarship to the University of Southern California where she fell for her tall basketball playing future husband Robert Morton. They had three beautiful girls together, Julie, Jody, and Janet. In September 2004 she married Mr. Wonderful, known more commonly as Gordon Wiles, enjoying many a romantic dinner and trip to the theater together.

Joyce was a college professor, PhD holder, world traveler, Trojan League of Orange County Vice-President, consultant, published author, and the recipient of numerous awards honoring her innovative devotion to teaching and her students.

But more than her amazing accomplishments, far more important to her than what she did were the beautiful people in her life she surrounded herself with. She loved her countless groups of friends with vibrant names and even more vibrant women, including the Good Old Girls, Profit Partners, Shape up Crew, Chapel Chicks of St. John Vianney, and Hollywood Pals.

Oma (as her grandchildren call her) was an avid lover of life and student of the world. Always learning, growing, and exploring, she instilled a German work ethic and insatiable curiosity about the world in anyone lucky enough to call her family. Her grandchildren remember “Oma adventures” and life lessons, time spent on Big Red Boat cruises and breakfasts in bed. Her daughters fondly recall how she was always giving a toast, bringing chicken soup and a warm smile to a sick friend, and coordinating rides make sure everyone would get to church. She refused to give up any of her zest for life as she got older, instead riding on mechanical bulls, jetting off to Asia, and pairing her favorite pair of Lululemons with any top she felt like - a true testament to one of her favorite expressions, “You’re only as old as you think you are.”

Joyce is survived by her two daughters Jody Burnham and Julie Crisp, her grandchildren Taylor, Hadley, Bryce, Kirby, Courtney, Carter, and Caroline, her two son-in-laws Scott and Gary, her second husband Gordon Wiles, his daughter and son-law Wendy and Jeff Verdon, their children Ashley and Adam, and Gordon’s son Gordon Wiles Jr. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the USC Tribute Scholarship Fund be made in her memory. Checks should be made payable to “Trojan Tribute-USC” and sent to: Trojan Tribute Scholarship Fund C/O Constance Maples PO Box 928123, San Diego, CA 92192.