Joyce Curtis

North Stonington - Joyce (Christ) Curtis, 81, beloved wife for 62 years of Francis J. "Frank" Curtis, of Puttker Road, North Stonington, passed away at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital surrounded by family Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

Born in Manhattan, New York, she was the daughter of the late George and Muriel Christ.

Joyce worked as a School Bus Driver for 25 years for the North Stonington School System. She also drove bus for many years for the North Stonington Senior Center. In addition to her driving career, Joyce was also the longtime bookkeeper for the family business, Curtis Hi-Rail. She was a communicant of St. Thomas Moore Church, and a member of the Antique Car Club and the Thunderbird Club. Joyce enjoyed reading the bible daily, watching the hummingbirds on the deck of the home her and Frank built together, attending car shows and chuckling at Hallmark Movies.

The most important aspect of her life was spending time with her husband, daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce will be dearly missed by her husband Frank; daughter Elizabeth Bialek and her longtime partner Ron DiCocco; two brothers, George Christ and Jon Christ; two grandchildren, Samantha Bialek, and Devin (Rachel) Bialek; two great-grandchildren, Josepine and Frankie Bialek and many nieces and nephews. Joyce was predeceased by her son Frankie; two sisters, Barbara Lundquist and Georgia Priest; and her mother-in-law Elizabeth "Betty" Nelson.

Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly, RI. A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at St. Michael Church, 60 Liberty St., Pawcatuck. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will be private. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com