Obituary - JOYCE MULBERG WALKE

Joyce Mulberg Walker, a remarkable woman devoted to her family and generously engaged in community service throughout her 97 years, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2026, at her home in Winter Park, Florida. She was surrounded by her beloved husband of 76 years, her children and grandchildren.

A native of Key West, Florida, she was born Jan. 21, 1929, on her grandmother’s kitchen table and kept her affinity as a “Conch” throughout her life. She was president of the Key West High School student body and, only weeks before her passing, celebrated the 80th reunion of the Class of 1946.

From 1946-1950, she attended Sophie Newcomb, a women’s college in New Orleans. She was accepted to three law schools — an extraordinary accomplishment for a woman of her generation — when she met Gilbert (Gil) Harold Walker, a native New Yorker in New Orleans for his pediatric internship. They married on Aug. 27, 1950. As only children in their families, they wanted a large one, and as they traveled during his medical training and military service in the 1950s their four children were born in different cities over seven years.

After years of watching her parents and grandparents operate successful businesses in Key West, combined with her early role as the nation’s first female claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual Insurance, Joyce took over as office manager for Gil’s thriving pediatric practice in Orlando. Her warmth endeared her to patients and parents alike. Her family often laughed about the “free medical advice” she offered when her husband was not available. In her later years, Joyce continued to manage several family businesses in Key West well into her 80s.

At home, she raised her four children with love and independence in thinking. There was always room at her table for a child needing a home-cooked meal or respite from their family life. She was a natural social worker, with a keen sense of humor and joyous personality, making her a magnet for all kinds of people. A lover of the arts, music and theatre, her home was filled with Broadway show tunes and music of the 40’s and 50’s.

In 1967 Joyce and Gil had a new home built in Winter Park, Florida, where her keen sense of design influenced its unique modern style and landscaping. They were immersed in community service, cooking for the homeless, visiting the elderly. She received a Leadership Award as a founding Board Member of Jewish Family Services. Collaboratively, Joyce and Gil were Distinguished Philanthropists for the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and the new Orlando Health Children’s Pavilion. They established an Endowment Fund for the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center, along with a perpetual Jewish Community Center Summer Camp Scholarship Fund for families in need. Over their lifetime, they made countless contributions to their synagogue, Congregation Ohev Shalom. Joyce also donated family-owned land in the Florida Keys to become part of a nature conservancy for future generations.

Joyce and Gil have 22 offspring: four children, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, the large family they imagined 75 years earlier. They attended all of their special occasions and events and enjoyed travelling with them.

In addition to her husband, Gil, she is survived by her children, Diane Baum (John), Steve Walker (Michelle), Greg Walker (Susan), and Julie Walker. She cherished being a grandmother to Emily (Josh), David, Jared (Kimi), Benjamin (Julianna), Hayley, Ansley (Tommy), Daniel (Jarna).

A family ceremony and burial took place on June 5, at the Ohev Shalom cemetery in Orlando, Florida. Rabbi Sholom Dubov officiated.

The family welcomes contributions to the Orlando Health Foundation, benefitting the Orlando Health Children’s Pavilion, in memory of Joyce Walker. Gifts may be made online at https://give.orlandohealth.com/OHCP or by phone at (321)841-8795.

Services entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, FL, 407-599-1180.