Joyce Brownhill

Joyce May Brownhill, 94, passed away peacefully at home on January 2, 2026. Joyce was born in Springfield, MA, on May 18, 1931, to the late Clarence and Marion (Dow) Wood. Joyce was predeceased by the love of her life, William Brownhill, in 2017; her beloved oldest child, Gary Matosky, in 2011; and her four brothers, Richard, Lee, Dustin, and Ralph.

Joyce tragically lost her mother at a young age to a drunk driver. From that tragedy, she developed her strong sense of independence and incredible work ethic. As the oldest daughter, she naturally stepped into a motherly role. She also developed a lifelong love of reading as a way to retreat and cope with her loss. Joyce read thousands of books in her lifetime - often finishing an entire novel (or two) in a single day!

Joyce always worked - ironing clothes, babysitting, hand-writing addresses for marketing mailings - and ultimately enjoyed a long career at Mullen Printing in Springfield, which was always a fun place for her grandchildren to visit.

Joyce is survived by her children, Donna Moriarty; Debra Barrows, with whom she lived since 2017; and Scott Brownhill and his wife, Beth Brownhill. Beth was more than a daughter-in-law- she was Joyce's best friend, and Joyce loved her dearly.

She is also survived by her dearest little sister, Phyllis McClaflin, and her husband, Zeke.

Joyce leaves ten grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild to cherish her memory.

She will be remembered for her warm heart and her joyful spirit. It was impossible to be in her presence without feeling loved and laughing hysterically. She loved everyone and judged no one… well, maybe one person, but no need to talk politics here!

She was the rock of our family and taught all of us how to be self-sufficient and independent, yet she never turned her back on anyone. As her son Scott said, "She never let me fall flat on my face. Right before I'd hit the ground, she would save me." Every one of her children - and most of her grandchildren - could say the same.

We will fondly remember Christmases in Becket, laughing all day, eating very rare roast beef, and wondering how some people enjoy that weird Yorkshire pudding stuff! She always had gifts for everyone, and I'm sure we all have a hat or an afghan (or both) that she made for us.

Not many people are blessed to live to be 94, and we are all so grateful she did. Joyce was herself right up to the end, and she left this world on her own terms, exactly as she hoped. After eight long years, she is reunited with the love of her life. Though we grieve her loss, we take comfort in knowing she had the perfect ending she wished for.

There will be no services as Joyce didn't want any; the family will honor her life privately at a later date.

Joyce strongly believed in the mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and donated as often as she could. If desired, donations may be made in her memory at: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=9109798&fr_id=162728&pg=personal