Joyce Evelyn LaFountain

1934 - 2014

ATHOL - Joyce Evelyn LaFountain died on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare-Belmont in Worcester.
Joyce Evelyn LaFountain was born in Wendell on June 28, 1934 and was the daughter of Arthur Taylor and Beatrice Lillian Taylor.
Joyce was predeceased by two siblings, Edward Earl Taylor and Lorraine Klaiber. She was also predeceased by her husband of 34 years, Veikko Simula in 1987 and her second husband and love of her life, Victor B. LaFountain in 2003. Joyce was extremely disheartened to lose her son Bruce V. Simula Sr. in 2012, and also predeceased by two step daughters, Martha Siaz and Muriel Marrero.
Joyce leaves behind her daughter, Reikka B. Simula Gooden and her husband Alfred Gooden of Amherst; grandsons Bruce V. Simula and his wife Leah of Florida, Randy Lutz and his wife, Constance, of Rhode Island, Jack Perez and Raymond Marrero both of Connecticut; several great grandchildren; a brother, Arthur L. Taylor of South Carolina; and several nephews, nieces and cousins; and close friends Adam and Lil Drozdowski, the Vaitkevicus family and many other friends who enjoyed her company of the years, and especially the friendship of her favorite neighbors Angel Rivera and Sarge. She will also be missed by her beloved pets, Tinkerbelle her Chihuahua, Fuzz the big coon cat and Oreo her beautiful Baby Kitty. Sadly the apple of her eye, her dog Punkin', predeceased her a few weeks before her death.
Joyce worked at the Erving Paper Mill in her younger years and semi retired working part time at the Slencil Company in Orange. She was a full time homemaker, wife, and mother as well.
Joyce enjoyed her retirement with several trips to Vegas and out west with her husband Victor. She also enjoyed many trips to the Carolinas to visit her brother and his family with daughter Reikka.
The ultimate vacation for Joyce was a month long trip to Graceland with her son Bruce in the 90's where she enjoyed the music of Jim Bianch and the Boothill Band.
Joyce was a proud 1951 graduate of New Salem Academy and enjoyed the company of fellow classmates, the kids as she would call them, Calvin and Freddy, Ann and Alan, and many others during the yearly reunions.
In closing, anyone who knew Joyce, knows she's gone to join Elvis because she was his number one fan.
There are no calling hours.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, with the Rev. Dr. Megan Leary of the Orange Central Congregational Church officiating.
Interment will follow in Wendell Center Cemetery.
Anyone who wishes, may contribute to the Athol Animal Control, c/o Athol Police, 280 Exchange Street, Athol, MA 01331 for Joyce was forever grateful for Oreo who was adopted from there.
Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange is directing the arrangements.
You may offer your sympathy or find directions online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com