Joyce Jett-Ali Obituary (1947

Joyce Marie Jett-Ali, 67, died August 31, 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland. Joyce was born October 19, 1947, in Yakima, WA, to Cletus Lucille Jett and Benjamin Carlisle Jett. She was raised and lived on an apple ranch on Naches Heights. In her youth she enjoyed swimming, skiing, volleyball, fishing and camping. She also developed an early and enduring love for the outdoors and travel. She graduated from Highland High School, and earned her BA and MA from Washington State University. After obtaining her Masters, Joyce joined the Peace Corps serving on western Africa assignments and worked in particular on a Nutrition and Health Education program for women in rural villages in Ivory Coast. In 1977, she married Omar Ali in Cairo, Egypt, and went on to work for USAID in Tunisia and Sudan. She moved to Geneva, Switzerland, in June 1983, and had lived there ever since. She enjoyed photography, travelling, skiing, and design. In Geneva, Joyce was active at the United Nations, representing various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the past 20 years, acting as a civil society defender on various international issues such as women and health/family planning, female genital mutilation (FGM), the rights of migrant women, promotion of solar household energy in humanitarian/refugee settings, and stood with the global NGO community to promote the protection of human rights across the board. She was a global citizen, and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with people from different countries. Her love for people from every horizon was also reflected in her practice of her faith. She was indeed part of a tight-knit multicultural Lutheran Church congregation in Geneva. She loved many of those who belonged to that community, and was always ready to open her heart, perk up her ears, extend a hand or flash a sincere, toothy smile that let everyone know they were in the company of a real gem. Upon personal reflection, Joyce wrote of herself: "I am who I am because of my early years growing up on an apple ranch on Naches Heights and by having good friends who share the same experience guided by common values and humanity - hard work, self-sufficiency, roots, security, optimism, family love and, for me, I guess I would have to add a healthy dose of curiosity and independence. That combined with a "can do" attitude toward life, I always wanted to see what was over the next hill. And during my life many hills I have climbed" Joyce belonged to American Women's Club, Lutheran Church, American International Club, Chatham House, and the Overseas Club (London). Joyce's surviving family includes her spouse: Omar Ali; sons: Adam and Kareem Ali; daughter: Mariam Ali; siblings: Mary, Carl and Ethel Giard. She was preceded in death by her mother and father Cletus and Benjamin Jett. A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors, 201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Red Cross can be made in Joyce's memory.