Katherine F. Joyce

Katherine (Kay) Joyce, age 99, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Kay was born on April 20, 1926 to Irish immigrants Delia Duffy Joyce and Michael Joyce. She was a life-long resident of the city she loved. She was especially proud of her Munjoy Hill roots. Kay graduated from Cathedral Grammar School and High School, Class of 1944. Throughout her life, she took business courses at the Gray Business School.

Following graduation, Kay worked at the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) Bakery and Office with her sisters, Bridget and Margaret. Kay then went on to work for Union Mutual Insurance Company (UNUM) in the Billing Department for 20 years. She made many friends there. Kay always enjoyed reading the retiree newsletters and attending the UNUM reunions each year

Kay enjoyed traveling with her family to California, Las Vegas, Hawaii, South Carolina, Baltimore and New York CIty. She and her friends also took many cruises throughout the Caribbean. Kay visited her cousins in Connemara, Ireland on many occasions. She also liked to entertain them when they visited Portland. She also enjoyed visiting her many cousins in Dorchester and Plymouth.

Kay had many interests. She liked to ski, golf and enjoyed going to the casinos at Foxwoods and Oxford. Kay was very proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed trips with the then Irish American Club to Cape Cod. She also loved playing bingo with her sister, Bridget, at St.Pius Church and playing cards with her family.

Kay was devoted to her family. The summers were a special time with weekly cook-outs at her brother, Johnny’s. These gatherings were always lots of fun with plenty of good food and Irish music in the background. Kay was always available to transport family and friends to appointments and errands. Kay was a proud citizen of Portland and her father instilled in her a responsibility for service and to support the community. She volunteered working at the election polls and at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen for many years.

Kay will be remembered for her strong spirit and independence. She was very devoted to her family and to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

Kay was predeceased by her parents and her siblings: Mary Griffin, Martin (Beano) Joyce, Bridget Malia, Peggy Concannon, John Joyce and their spouses. She was also predeceased by her nephew, Martin Griffin and niece, Regina Joyce.

She is survived by her nieces, nephew and their families: Joyce (Chester) Malia; John (Rita) Griffin, Kathy (David) Twombly, Lisa (Jon) Gale and Jeanne Malia. Kay is also survived by her many cousins in Boston and Ireland.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Douglas Barr for his many years as Kay’s primary physician; the staff at the Wound Center, Brighton Medical Center; Doug, her visiting nurse from Maine Health; Roxanne Mulkern, Kathy Joyce, and the caregivers at Northern Light Hospital and Hospice for their compassion and attentive care. The family would also like to thank Mary Jo for always baking “the best” blueberry muffins for Kay. Her favorite!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, March 26^th at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland. Per Kay’s wishes, there will be no visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen.

Kay missed her 100th birthday by just 38 days. A special Mass will be celebrated on her 100th birthday at 12:15pm on April 20^th at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. On that day, please raise a glass to Kay and consider doing a kind deed for someone who needs a pick me up. She would have truly appreciated the meaningful tribute.