Obituary of Joyce E. Dunn

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a wonderful woman.  Joyce Dunn was called home by the Heavenly Father on July 27, 2018 after a short illness.  She died peacefully in the arms of her children.  Joyce was born October 19, 1944 in Presque Isle Maine. She moved to Connecticut as a child, where on October 8, 1966 she married the love of her life, Bill Dunn.  Together they raised three daughters.   Joyce was the best Mom that a daughter could ask for, demonstrating unconditional love, wholehearted support and endless patience.  She was a very active grandmother and great-grandmother, a favorite Aunty and a friend to everyone she met.  After her husband died in 2007 Joyce embraced her sense of adventure.  She made many new friends while living at Spring Lake Village in Southington and was especially close to Peggy Dudley, who became her best friend and a member of our family.  Joyce took every opportunity to travel with friends and family both locally and abroad.  She loved all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and was lucky to be able to spend lots of time with them after her retirement, especially her granddaughter Valerie.  Joyce was a faithful member of St Joseph’s Church in New Britain and an avid supporter of the Oratory of Jesus. She was dedicated to always having a bountiful garden.   Joyce was a professional nurse at Andrew House Health Care in New Britain for 34 years where she diligently cared for and protected the dignity of countless patients.  She was loved and admired by all who had the privilege to work beside her.  Joyce had a warmth and sincerity that could not be matched.  Her smile was contagious and it must be said that she made the best apple pie in the world.   We consider ourselves blessed and lucky to have known and loved her.   She died as she lived, with selfless grace.

Joyce is predeceased by her husband, her parents and her siblings: Burt Stevens, Kathy Gomez, and Mary Aresimowicz.  She is survived by her brother Herbert Stevens. Her three daughters, Brenda Marquis and her husband Alan of Wethersfield, CT, Kelly Dunn and her fiancé Mark Fairbrass of Eatonton, Ga., and Kim Sprague and her husband Fred of Southington, CT.  Her grandchildren: Joshua Warner, Jessica and her husband, John Prisavage, Jacob Warner and Valerie Sprague as well as her great grandchildren:  Lily, Ella, Trevor, Hunter, Alex, and Austin. 

Our family would like to extend our most sincere thanks and gratitude to the physicians, nurses and support staff at Costamed Medical Center in Cozumel Mexico for the world class medical service they provided.  We could not have asked for better care and thank them for the kindness and compassion they showed our Mother and our family.               

 Visitation was held Friday (Aug 3). The funeral will be held Tuesday (Aug. 7, 2018) 9:00 AM from the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Square New Britain, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph's Church 195 So. Main St. New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain.   In Lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to St Joseph’s parish.  Donations can be sent to Divine Providence Parish St Joseph’s Church 195 S. Main St. New Britain CT 06051 in memory of Joyce Dunn.  Opportunities for remembrance will also be made available at the  funeral service.