Obituary for Marilyn Joyce Aubrey

It is with profound love and deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Marilyn Joyce Aubrey of Cedar Rapids, IA. She left this world on June 8, 2026, at the age of 85.  Leaving behind a legacy of faith, healing, exploration, and boundless ability to give.

A Memorial Service will be private at a date and location to be determined to accommodate her large family whom many live outside the US. Interment Services and Interment were held privately. 

Joyce was born on July 15, 1940, in Ottumwa, IA to Martin and Magdalene (Smith) Middleton and developed a deep-rooted compassion for others early in life. This calling led her to a long and highly successful career as a Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing at multiple medical facilities in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area. Throughout her 45 years in the medical field, she provided exceptional care, comfort, and advocacy for countless patients. Colleagues and patients alike will remember her unwavering dedication, warm bedside manner and clinical expertise.

Beyond the hospital walls, Joyce possessed an adventurous spirit and a profound love for travel. She believed that the world was for exploring and traveled to Greece, the Mid-East, beaches both the East and the West Coast, and settled in the Los Angeles CA beach area for many years.  She loved the outdoors hiking, canoeing, gardening and her wonderful Alaska Adventures with her son Paul.

She was also a person of devout faith and supported many organizations that reflected her values, including Children International, Doctors Without Borders, and Mission of Hope. Her compassion extended beyond financial support. She visited the children she sponsored and took part in several medical mission trips, living out her commitment to serving others.

Joyce also had a deep love for dogs and, over the years, rescued several, giving each a safe and caring home. Her generous spirit and many interests reflected a lifelong desire to care for others, both people and animals alike.

The role of Grandma and Great Grandma is what brought her the utmost pride and joy. She had endless love and dedication to them all.  Her home was a gathering place for family, filled with large meals, celebrations, and even weddings. She had a gift for making everyone feel loved, welcomed, and at ease.  
 
She is survived by her children, Kathryn (Dale) Burd; Keely (Mark) Petersen-Snider; Lisa Hall and Paul Aubrey; grandchildren, Joseph (Erin) Hoose, Nick (Aaron) Burd, Shannon Salmon, Aaron (Tamara) Hoose, Melissa Burd, Meghan (Ives) Salmon, Tyler (Imelda) Hoose; David Petersen, Danielle (Fahad) Petersen and Emily (Micheal) Petersen;
great-grandchildren, Elijah, Emmett, Oscar, Valerie, Mia, Liam and Olivia. And siblings, brother George (Linda) Middleton, Carol Kalous and Toni Swarts. 

Memorial contributions may be given to the Parkinson's Foundation or Cedar Valley Humane Society.