Joya Barrett Obituary

Joya Celiberti Barrett

Joya Celiberti Barrett, age 80, of Austin, Texas died suddenly Friday night, May 9th, 2025. She was born June 17th, 1944, in the Bronx, New York and grew up in the Bronx and Westbury, Long Island. She lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Austin, Texas.

Joya graduated from Westbury High School (go Green Dragons!), Adelphi University, and Queens College, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Teaching and her certificate in Special Education. She taught English in West Islip New York, then Special Education at schools in Long Island, Albuquerque, Lago Vista and Austin.

Joya sang for a few years with Hilde Girls in Austin and was active in Democratic groups in her neighborhood. Her passion was her daughter and her grandson, flowers and gardening. Friends and neighbors called her "a force of nature".

Joya is survived by her devoted husband Dennis Barrett, her loving daughter Tina Hellsten, adored grandson Jack Hellsten, siblings Maria Shickler, Donna Celiberti, Bruce Celiberti, Lisa Celiberti Curran and husband Timothy, nephews Scott Shickler and wife Grace, Jason Sudano, Taylor and Pierce Curran. She follows her father William and her mother Sandra in death.

Joya donated her body to the Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center. We anticipate holding a celebration of her life in Austin soon.

Contact Lisa Celiberti Curran if you have questions. [email protected]

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

https://www.wildflower.org/donate