Joyce Chesnick

Joyce Bailes Chesnick was born on June 6, 1925, in Memphis, Tennessee. She peacefully passed away on October 29, 2023, at the age of 98 in Houston, Texas. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, H. Joseph Chesnick, Sr., her loving parents, Jean and George Bailes, her sister Jean Levy, and her brother Ensign Jerry Bailes. Joyce's family moved to Houston when she was young, and she had a happy childhood in Montrose. She attended Montrose Elementary School, Sidney Lanier Junior High, and San Jacinto High School. Joyce went to the University of Texas at Austin and majored in Fine Arts. She continued her passion for art history, portrait painting, and interior design. During her freshman year, she met her future husband, Joe from Victoria, Texas. On February 28, 1945, at the age of 19, Joyce married Joe in Houston. Rabbi Henry Barnston of Congregation Beth Israel officiated the ceremony. Joe had received his commission as a Naval officer one day before their union and reported to active duty in the Pacific Theatre after a short honeymoon. After World War II ended, Joyce and Joe returned to Houston, where she supported her husband's start-up in the retail furniture business. They built their first home together in Riverside Terrace and raised their three children, Joan, Joseph Jr., and Robert. In the 1950s, with three young children, Joyce entered the fashion modeling business. She became acquainted with many of the finest European and American designers and had the opportunity to observe and learn from many successful retail fashion merchants in Houston. This experience proved valuable in the next phase of her professional life. Joyce and Joe opened their first Ethan Allen Design Center in 1968. Joe focused on the business side while Joyce focused on design and merchandising. Joyce served on the corporate Ethan Allen Advisory Council, and many of her interior and exterior concepts were implemented on an international basis. The family business has become the largest globally independent Ethan Allen licensee, fifty-six years and three generations later. Joyce's parents instilled a love of Judaism in her from a young age. She and Joe were members of Congregation Beth Israel for 73 years. Joyce served in many lay leadership roles, including being the second female elected President of the Board of Trustees in 1995. Joyce was instrumental in the creation of the congregation's Memorial Garden and Chapel, which were dedicated in 1997. The chapel and grounds received several architectural awards and will continue to serve the families of Beth Israel for many generations. Joyce is survived by her children Joan and Stevan Dinerstein, Karen and Joseph Chesnick Jr., and Yvonne and Robert Chesnick. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Jeff Dinerstein (Shoshana), Mark Dinerstein (Stacey), Bradley Chesnick (Aimee), Jill Chesnick Bell (Robert), Robby Chesnick, and Julia Chesnick. In addition, she leaves her eight great-grandchildren, Leah, Lewis, and Ryder Dinerstein, Andrew, Daniel, and Helen Bell, and Max and Addison Chesnick. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to their wonderful team of caregivers for their devotion and support. Our heartfelt appreciation to Jessie Gibson, Vanessa LeBroud, Vivian Melvin, Barbra Anderson, and LaNell Shanklin. For those who wish to honor Joyce's memory, the family requests donations to Congregation Beth Israel (beth-israel.org) or a charity of their choice. There was a private burial. A memorial service was held at 12:30 pm on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096.

Joyce Chesnick

June 6, 1925 - October 29, 2023