Volunteer Spotlight: Joyce Howard

Star Volunteer and Ambassador Includes ILF in Her Will

By Rhi Burmeister

Many of you in the Ilan-Lael community have had the pleasure of meeting Joyce Howard. Since 2022, Joyce has been an exceptionally dedicated and active docent at Ilan-Lael, sharing the vision and history of the foundation with visitors. She isn’t just a volunteer; she is a true ambassador, the kind of woman who champions our mission with genuine, infectious passion and energy.

Above: (Left) Joyce stands with a commissioned art scuplture and staircase railing designed and built by Brennan Hubbell (Right) Joyce, an avid gardener, stands under her passionfruit trellis. Photos: Rhi Burmeister

Joyce’s incredible dedication is not limited to her work with Ilan-Lael. She is also an advocate and volunteer for other important causes. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Joyce is deeply committed to Making Strides, the nation’s largest network of breast cancer walking events. She actively champions their mission through both hands-on volunteer initiatives and fundraising efforts. Her dedication, energy, and advocacy are truly inspiring to all who know her.

Joyce’s introduction to James Hubbell’s home and studios, Ilan-Lael, came through KPBS documentaries such as Between Heaven and Earth and Eye of the Beholder. She also recalls witnessing the building of Pearl of the Pacific park in 1998 during her daily walks along Shelter Island, where she worked for over four decades.

She finally made the “trip up the hill” in 2022, persuaded by local artist and Rancho La Puerta artist-in-residence Timothy Hinchliff. He informed her that James and Anne had recently relocated to a city care facility, adding that the Foundation was a “grassroots” endeavor reliant on “volunteerism” to sustain its operations and legacy. This initial visit proved transformative. Inspired by the “magic of the place”, Joyce quickly became a docent for tours. Her commitment extends far beyond giving tours on the grounds; she is a vital leader for our tours through Tecate and can be counted on to attend, and often help organize, nearly every major Ilan-Lael Foundation event. 

Above: Joyce docenting a tour at Ilan-Lael Photo: Laurel Costa

In 2025 Joyce, along with her husband Rod, made a generous commitment by including the Ilan-Lael Foundation in their will.

When asked about the inspiration behind this legacy gift, Joyce’s response was direct: “this place has to go on.” She elaborated on her deep connection to James’s vision—a world where art, nature, and people exist in harmony. Joyce emphasized, “Ilan-Lael needs people to reach out, learn more and if you have it in your heart, give a donation.”

It is the dedication of people like Joyce who ensure Ilan-Lael’s future, allowing the harmony of art, nature, and people to continue inspiring generations to come.