Joyce Lessard

Joyce Goodwin Lessard passed away peacefully on February 23, at home surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. Joyce was born in Sanford in October of 1945 to Roland and Hazel Goodwin. She was raised in Shapleigh, attending schools in both Shapleigh and Sanford, graduating from Sanford High School in 1964. She then attended York Beauty Academy and graduated in 1965, beginning her lifelong career in Cosmetology. Joyce was an accomplished cosmetologist, establishing her own business from which she retired after 55 years. She fell in love with her high school sweetheart and future husband, Norman. They married in November of 1966, and remained married until her death. The two were blessed with three beautiful children and four grandchildren. Joyce was a talented homemaker who enjoyed many creative pursuits including sewing, gardening and preserving the food that she grew. Joyce and Norman spent many years making wine from neglected grape vines that grew on a neighboring fence. She was a fantastic cook who enjoyed making the most delicious food for her family as well as for gatherings of friends and for family holidays. She was a seamstress, making clothes for her children when they were young and alterations for family as time went on. Joyce also enjoyed many years of ice skating, downhill skiing and snowmobiling in the winters with her family, in addition to the many summers spent sailing off the coast of Maine with Norman on their sailboat, Sayla Vee. The boat was her summer home and getaway, where time was spent enjoying the sun, wind, water, waves and evenings under the stars. Joyce is predeceased by her father Roland Goodwin and sister Rebecca Goodwin Lapierre. She is survived by her husband Norman, three children, Lisa Lancraft and her husband Robert, Lori Brooks and husband Ronald, Timothy Lessard and wife Michele, and grandchildren Jakob Brooks, Ryan Signore, Gage Lessard and Rebecca Lancraft. She is also survived by her mother Hazel Goodwin, a brother Richard Goodwin and wife Brenda, and sister and brother in law Ann Marie and Roger Lajoie, as well as many nieces and nephews. A time of visitation will be held on Monday, March 3, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 4 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford. Burial will take place at St. Ignatius Cemetery in the spring.