Joyce Marie Gagne

1955 - 2020

My name is Joyce Marie Gagne. I was born on September 13, 1955 in Middletown, CT. Six days after I was born, I was adopted by my parents, George and Mary Gaudreault and we lived in Columbia, CT. When I was in 2nd grade, we moved to Willimantic so that my dad could be closer to the apartment house that he owned and managed. I attended The Noble School and Windham High School. While in high school; I met my future husband; James "Jim" Gagne. After high school, I attended Windham Tech where I learned to become a Dental Assistant and went to work for several area dentists and then two medical offices. At one point, I opened a local craft store with a partner, Denise Gantick. I also spent several years working at Woodlake of Tolland and then subsequently the Town of Mansfield, where I started in youth services and later moved to work for the Finance Department where I dedicated 13 wonderful years of service until my retirement in 2010. Throughout my life, Jim and I traveled immensely with friends and family. From zip-lining, panning for gold, and white water rafting in Alaska to standing among giant redwood and sequoia trees in California; we loved to experience different destinations. We straddled the border between Arizona and Nevada atop the Hoover Dam, cruised through the Panama Canal, climbed Mayan pyramids in Mexico and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington. We also stood atop one of the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps, and the beauty of the castle region of Germany. We enjoyed the quiet serenity of the Florida Keys and it was one of my favorite places to visit. Jim and I spent many treasured years managing our small Christmas Tree Farm in Willington where I sold my crafts and made many wonderful friends over the years. One of the highlights of my life was building our log cabin home with Jim where we raised three beloved dogs and one cat. I would like to thank Kathy, my nurse, Carrie, my physical therapist, and the entire staff of ECHN Visiting Nurse & Health Services for all the care and compassion they gave me and the lovely visits from Oliver the therapy dog. I left this life on November 10, 2020 at our home with my beloved husband by my side. My memorial service will be at the convenience of my family, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002, The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, or Visiting Nurse & Health Services of CT, 8 Keynote Dr., Vernon, CT 06066. To leave a condolence online for the family, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com