Joyce Thompson

Joyce L. Thompson, of Weston Ct. and Vero Beach, FL died peacefully at her home in Weston, CT. The cause of death according to her husband, David, was cancer. She was 90.

Born in New York City July 26, 1934 to William and Marjorie (Somerville) Angeletti, she was raised in Hartsdale, NY and attended White Plains, NY High School. She graduated from Wheaton College and later received a Masters Degree from the University of Bridgeport.

She and David were married in Hartsdale in June, 1958. Married for 66 years, she is survived by her husband and three children; John of Stratford, Jennifer Van de Graaf, New Canaan (Stephen), and Sarah Marcotte of Los Angeles, CA (James), and four grandchildren, Gwen, Owen, Sarah and Rowan.

Active in the Westport-Weston arts community she served the Westport Arts Center as President for many years. During her tenure the Center occupied the Greens Farms School which it restored, improved and maintained as a gallery and home for artists after raising the needed funds. Because she was President when the Center found its first home at Greens Farms she is often credited as a co-founder of what is today MOCA Connecticut. When the town needed the school again the Art Center moved to Riverside Avenue where her active participation continued. (MOCA is now on Newtown Turnpike.)

Joyce continued her interest in painting while also pursuing sailing and boating. She and her husband were a familiar sight on Long Island Sound in the sloop," Bluejacket", and later the trawler " Rambler". An active member of Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club she was also in the Power Squadron, one year winning a citation for the high number of boats she inspected on behalf of the Squadron. She was an active gardener and took pride in the restoration and maintenance of her pre-war International style house. Her paintings, especially cloudscapes, are hung with pride by family and friends. She approached all with a sense of passion and a spirit of collaboration that made her a quiet leader.

She died peacefully in her home with David holding one hand and daughter Jennifer the other. John visited the night before and during Thanksgiving week Sarah and all four grandchildren spent time with her. The family is also deeply grateful to her caregivers, Jackie Brown and Judith Bryan who showed uncommon empathy and love.

A celebration of her Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at the Unitarian Congregation, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport. The service will be streamed for those unable to attend. The family will greet friends at a reception after the service.