Joyce Mitchell BURRELL

BURRELL, Joyce Mitchell Age 97, formerly residing in Waynesboro, VA and Marshfield, MA, passed away peacefully, on July 22, 2024, at The Residence at St. Antoines, in North Smithfield, RI.

Joyce was the cherished wife of the late Donald Phillips Burrell, with whom she shared 63 years of marriage. Born to the late Warren and Esther (Wells) Mitchell, on July 25, 1926, in Haverhill, NH, Joyce dedicated her life to caring for her large family and devoted herself to a lifelong nursing career, having graduated from Boston's Children's Hospital in 1948 and, in retirement, proudly serving as a CASA volunteer. Joyce was preceded in death and now joins her five brothers: Warren Mitchell, Roy Mitchell, Gordon Mitchell, Norman Mitchell and George Mitchell; and her sister, Gaye (Mitchell) Fife and her daughter, Marilee Burrell. She is survived by her sisters, Glee (Mitchell) Boyden and Ruth (Mitchell) Moreau of CT; and two daughters, Donna L. Burrell with spouse, Jane Eggerstedt of Portland, OR and Jo-Ellen Burrell Tramontana with spouse, Charles Tramontana of Cumberland, RI; also her five beloved, "Nonna's Nephews"; and numerous cherished nieces and cousins; and leaves behind dear friends and neighbors.

Joyce will be remembered always, for her love and compassion - especially when family gathers to eat Christmas cookies, sing and play Scrabble. Joyce was a powerhouse of holiday baking and word games. In her younger years, dance floors throughout Plymouth and Brockton cleared to watch her Jitterbug with her dance partners. She yearly enjoyed summers at the family beach house in Brant Rock, MA, when she was not traveling with her husband to Puerto Rico with her sister to Myrtle Beach and with her daughters to New Orleans and the Galapagos Islands. She was an avid reader throughout her life, enjoying "Books on Tape" from the Library of Congress, as her eyesight failed. Joyce tried her hand at oil painting, enjoying lessons from her favorite aunt, Miriam (Wells) Farrell. She unfailingly cheered with gusto, the Red Sox, Mets and Patriots.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Joyce's memory to Friends of RI CASA, P.O. Box 20659 Cranston, RI 02920. A private Ceremony will be held, June 30, 2025, with arrangements made by Chapman Funeral Services of EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA, followed by Interment of ashes - both Joyce's and her daughter's - at the family plot at Central Cemetery in East Bridgewater, MA.