Joyce Catherine Bonsey

Joyce was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and passed into heavenly glory while living in a memory care community in Fuquay-Varina NC.

Joyce was born to Joseph Clyde Bonsey and Florence Marie Salmon Bonsey – 6 minutes after her twin sister Janet Carol Bonsey was born; Joyce was an unexpected surprise blessing since two heartbeats were not heard until the delivery room! Joyce was a blessing from the very start. In childhood, she was the active one! Bike riding, tree climbing, and always on the go.

Joyce attended St. Joseph’s elementary and high school at Notre Dame Academy where she was a graduate of the class of 1971. She made many close, cherished lifelong friendships at St. Joe’s and Notre Dame. Joyce also attended St. Petersburg Junior College with an emphasis on Business Administration and later earned her Florida Real Estate license.

After both her parents had died, Joyce moved to North Carolina in 1986 to be closer to Janet and her family. She was employed by SAS Institute as an administrative assistant for 5 years in their legal department and then 10 years as an accounting assistant; she was very good with numbers and was a 10-key whiz! She also was very active at her church, the Cary Church of God, where she joyfully sang in the choir and did numerous volunteer projects.

She always loved dogs and had four furry companions over the years. In Joyce’s senior years, Gracie, a 5 lb toy poodle she raised from a pup, was her special joy and constant companion for over 15 years.

Joyce enjoyed purses (especially leather, anything leather please!) and large fashionable hats, she collected teapots and enjoyed shopping for bargains at the local thrift store. She was also creative – painting a beautiful seascape in oils, knitting blankets, and crafting homemade Christmas Ornaments which we continue to use today.

But most of all, she was a kind caring person who wanted to be helpful wherever she could.

She is survived by many beloved family and friends. Her sister Janet Bonsey Hanley (James); her three nephews and niece: William J. Hanley (Viktoria), Christopher J. Hanley, Benjamin R. Hanley (Sandi), Anne M. Hanley Christian (Matthew). She is also survived by nine Great nieces and nephews: Allexis Chapman Thiede (Tyler), Alissa J. Chapman (Kilem Harris), Landon J. Hanley, Bailey M. Hanley, Lauren E. Hanley, Gabriel O. Hanley, Elinor W. Hanley, Jonathan J. Christian, Calvin J. Christian, her close cousin Johnny and all her cherished cousins from the Bonsey, Driscoll and Salmon families.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dorcus Ministries (dorcasnc.org) and the SPCA of Wake County (spcawake.org)

A visitation for Joyce will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. A memorial service will occur Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM, 200 Southeast Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511. A commital service will occur Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 12:45 PM to 1:15 PM at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Rd, Cary, NC 27519.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Bonsey family.