Mary E Joyce
November 18, 1946 ~ January 4, 2018
Resided in:
Portland, ME
Portland- Mary E. Joyce, 71, died peacefully on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at her home following a courageous battle with cancer, her loving family was by her side.
Mary was born in Portland on November 18, 1946 the daughter of the late Harold J. and Olive D. (Underhill) Isleib. She attended local schools and graduated from the Mansfield Beauty Academy.
On December 30, 1970, Mary married Michael Joyce Jr. and together they made their home and raised their family in Portland.
Starting her career as beautician for many years, Mary switched careers working for PROP, Michael's Restaurant, Keeley the Caterer, and Cheverus High School. Her passion for hairdressing drove her to go back to school and get re-licensed, owning her own salon at 100 State Street.
In her spare time, Mary enjoyed traveling with her sister Therese and her longtime friend Virginia. She was an active twenty two year member in AFG, dedicating her time and service, a proud twenty one year member of Al-Anon, as well as cooking and gardening. Her greatest love, however, was the time she spent surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Mary's family would like to extend a special thank you to Karen and Rachael at the New England Cancer Center of Scarborough.
"God saw her getting tired and a cure not meant to be, so He put His arms around her, and whispered, Come with Me"
Mary was predeceased by her husband Michael Joyce Jr. in 2008. She is survived by a daughter, Bridie and her husband Dennis Cochrane of Portland; three sons, James and his wife Kellie Joyce of Standish, Harold Foley and his companion Ellen Smith of MA, Martin and his wife Sarah Joyce of Farmingdale; four sisters, Therese Farr of CT, Loretta Islieb of NH, Darcelle Fickett of Portland, and Frances Thomas of Elliot; three grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth-Lynn Joyce, Nolan Michael Joyce, and Roscoe Martin Joyce; several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 10:00am at New Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland. A celebration of Mary's life will follow the graveside service from 10:30 to 3:00pm at the Odd Fellows Hall, 179 Ridgeland Ave., South Portland, ME. To view Mary's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
Those who wish may make contributions in Mary's memory to: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
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Thank you for being such a good friend to my mother, I always felt that you were part of my family growing up. Give my mother and your mother a hug and a kiss for me.
Kevin
– Kevin Dagnese
My sister instilled the love of the ocean in me
– Fran Thomas
so sad that we have lost another neighborhood sister… Please give my sister Prudy a big hug for me… Rest in peace Mary
– Dorothy Sullivan
So sorry to lose her. Will remember her support offered with humor & grace; & how proud & pleased she was of her new house & the part she took in its design.
– Debbie M
Mom. I stayed at you house for most of December and was honored being there helping you in any way possible. I have seen you grow as a person during your years in Alanon and the growth you made was inspirational. I look back with a smile and fond memories of the way you and dad were grandparents to Sarah. I saw a side of you and dad that I never saw before. It was truly special seeing the way you two took Sarah in your arms and became so special to her. You were also a great mother in law to Kellie. She has nothing but great memories of you. Me being the oldest and you having me when you were so young was an incredible burden thrust upon you. When I became a parent I looked back at the memories and became aware of the good job you did being a mom. Sometimes with age comes wisdom and I saw things in a different light as I grew older and became a dad. You are now with dad and the ten years you were apart were ten years to many. You were special to many people and special to me as my mom. Some day I will see you and dad again but until then I promise to be the best dad and husband I can be because you were the best mom you could be. I have and will always love you!
Your son Jimmy.
– James Joyce
Mom, even with that blizzard we had, it was amazing how you hung in there. It was an honor to make your passing just as you wanted. I love you more than you knew. Watching the world through your eyes, always at your side, hand in hand, squeeze it three times to say “I Love You”. Always being little Mary Ethel shaped me into the woman I am today. Thank you for all you did, gave and taught me. You were a great friend to me. I love you forever, Bridie.
– smokey
Mary always greeted me and my family members with a hug and a smiling face.
Always happy to see us and we her. She was a great dancer too.
Prayers and condolences to her sisters and her children.
Einger(Napolitano)Desjardins Loretta Toothaker and Jim Napolitano
– Einger Desjardins
So sorry for your loss. Mary Ethel was Bobby’s first baby sitter. We always looked forward to seeing her at family get togethers. A beautiful and special woman. She left too early. Love, cousin
– Bobby and Ellen Turcotte
so sorry for your loss, she was such a sweet lady. Bridie and family you will be in my prayers as you go through this hard time. Love MaryKate Clark
– MaryKate Clark
Very sorry for your loss.
A lot of fond memories of Mary Ethel!
– John Scott Beck
Mom, even with that blizzard we had, it was amazing how you hung in there. It was an honor to make your passing just as you wanted. I love you more than you knew. Watching the world through your eyes, always at your side, hand in hand, squeeze it three times to say “I Love You” Always being little Mary Ethel shaped me into the woman I am today. Thank you for all you did, gave and taught me. You were a great friend to me.
I love you forever,
Bridie
– bjack35@live.com
Mom, my words cannot express how I feel about your passing. God asked for you too soon. You gave to so many in your life, and that made me a better person in my own life. What I learned from your kindness, your giving nature , and your willingness to always help those in need made me the person I am today. You worked hard your whole life to become a wonderful mother , and the best grandmother ever. I will miss you , but I am happy that you are now with dad loving each other as you travel the world again.
– smokey
Mary In the 25 years I have known you it has been such a pleasure and an honor to watch you grow and became the person that you wanted to be and knew that you were. Some people spend a life time not realizing they have the strength and courage within them to make their destiny different than their beginning. You lived it and practiced every day and when you didn’t have it in you relied on the serenity sprayer to pull you through. You will be missed as a mother, a grandmother , a mother in law, a sister, an aunt and a friend. When I think of you I think of your stories about sea glass, collecting it with the children on the beach. Later with the grandchildren and the inspirational stories you have shared about it with many others who will know what I mean by saying this. Sea glass starts out jagged and harsh and becomes soft, smooth and beautiful with age, wisdom and time. I love you and will miss you dearly but you will always be in our hearts.
With love Kellie Joyce
– Kellie J. Joyce