Joyce May Connelly

Canandaigua - Joyce May (Pestle) Connelly, age 95, passed away peacefully, on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Light Hill (comfort care home), receiving exceptionally compassionate care there and previously at Quail Summit.
Born on St. Patrick's Day to Leon and Elsie Pestle, of Bristol, NY, Joyce grew up on a farm where she developed a strong work ethic, a love of learning, and an appreciation for the outdoors-traits she inherited from her mother, who managed the homestead after her husband died, when Joyce was 5 years old. A gifted student, Joyce graduated at the top of her class at Canandaigua Academy and later worked as a skilled executive secretary for RG&E.
November 12, 1949, Joyce married George Connelly, and together they created a warm and busy home on Brickyard Road, where she lived for 73 years.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, George Connelly in 2008; brother, Ernest Pestle; and grandson, Ryan Barker. Survived by 4 children, Robert (Katrina), Stephen (Laura), Daniel (Dianne) and Linda (Thomas) Barker; nine grandchildren, Dr. Camille Connelly, Paul (Christine) Connelly, Sean (Bethany) Barker, Brett (Tom) Pool, Patrick Barker, Kristin (Mark) Sorel, Regina (Matt) Sousa, Christopher (Caroline) Connelly, and Stephanie Connelly; 11 great grandchildren, Madison Barker, Marshall and Gemma Connelly, Maria, Mackenzie and Morgan Barker, James and Ethan Pool, Roy and Loralei Sousa, and Myles Sorel, all who brought her great joy; sisters-in-law, Mary Pestle, Anne Perron; and brother-in-law, David (Fay) Connelly.
Joyce devoted herself to raising their four children and instilling in them the values of hard work, education, kindness, curiosity and love of nature. She loved music, especially playing the piano, enjoyed gardening, knitting mittens for the St. Mary's Christmas baskets, sewing, and reading; and spent many happy summers taking her children to swim at Kershaw Park. She was also active as a 4-H leader and judge, and received the Mary Clark Thompson award for her volunteer hours and dedication tending the Colonial garden at Sonnenberg Gardens.
She will be remembered for her strength, warmth, quiet wisdom, and lifelong devotion to her family.
A private ceremony will be held for family at a later date. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Bristol.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Light Hill, 5160 Parrish St. Ext., Canandaigua, NY 14424 or Sonnenberg Gardens, 250 Gibson St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 or St. Mary's Church, 95 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 or St. Mary's School, 16 Gibson St., Canandaigua, NY 14424. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.