Joyce Cyr

Joyce (Rodman) Cyr, 81, of South Windsor, beloved wife of Leo J. Cyr, died peacefully on Monday, Oct. 24, surrounded by her family. Joyce was born in Auburn, New York, on Jan. 21, 1941, daughter to the late James R. and Jane (Bruce) Rodman. As the daughter of a U.S. Naval officer, she moved frequently as a child but always considered Auburn, New York, her hometown.

She was a graduate of SUNY Oswego and would later earn a master's degree from the University of Connecticut. After raising her children, Joyce taught math at Timothy Edwards Middle School in South Windsor for over 20 years before retiring in 2001.

There was nothing she loved more than spending time with family and friends, believing strongly that relationships are more important than possessions. Joyce's family, especially her beloved grandchildren, were the light of her life. She never passed up a chance to spend time with each one of them, with the highlight of her year being the annual family vacation in Newport, Rhode Island. She also cherished Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, which she happily hosted each year for both family and friends.

She was a devoted member of Wapping Community Church in South Windsor, which was a source of many close relationships. Joyce also had a large group of friends that she spent time with, whether playing mah-jongg, out for a meal, working at the UConn ticket office, or enjoying some adventure. She loved watching college basketball, rarely missing a UConn women's game. A kind, caring, nurturing, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many, Joyce will be dearly missed.

Along with her husband, Leo Cyr of Manchester, she leaves her children, Thomas F. Breen III and his wife Diosmedy of South Windsor, James A. Breen and his fiancée Nichole Bernier of Glastonbury, and Leslie B. Hersom and her husband Andrew of Glastonbury; two stepchildren, Matthew Cyr and his wife Jennifer of California and Beth Cyr of Washington; her grandchildren, Sarah and Andrew Breen, Colin and Maxwell Hersom, Emma Breen, and Stella and Greta Cyr; her sister, Joanna Stuart of Bridgewater; her sister-in-law, Cecile Belval of Middletown; a nephew, William Stuart Jr. of Bridgewater; and a niece Julie Stuart of Bridgewater. Joyce was predeceased earlier this year by her beloved granddaughter Avery Hersom, with whom she is now lovingly reunited.

Her family will receive friends on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 4-7 p.m. at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m., meeting directly at the Wapping Community Church, 1790 Ellington Road, South Windsor. Burial will follow at Wapping Cemetery in South Windsor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Give Kids the World Village, an organization that offers cost-free vacations to critically ill children. www.gktw.org.

For online condolences please visit

www.carmonfuneralhome.com.