Joyce Herms

Joyce was born on April 2, 1937 in Concord, NH, a daughter of the late Lloyd and Helen (Small) Raymond. She grew up in Bristol, and was a graduate of Bristol High School, Class of 1955. She was married to Carl Herms, with whom she has three children. She is survived by her children, Victoria Ambrosey and husband Vincent of Milford, Tracy Celentano and husband Vincent of New Britain, and Christopher Herms and wife Joann of Southington, 3 brothers, William, Harry and Albert Raymond and 2 sisters, Dorothy Glines and Sandra Nadeau and her grandchildren; Natalie and Adam Ambrosey, Paolo and Marcello Celentano, Benjamin and Jack Herms, and Dana, Angela and Ian Lawrence, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers Richard and George Raymond, and her beloved companion Charles ?Chuck? Drayton.

Joyce was a devoted, dedicated and beloved mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, sister and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Joyce?s generosity was legendary and would open her home, and her time to family and friends in need, anytime. Joyce?s home in Southington, where she has lived for the past 50 years, was one of countless celebrations and gatherings, especially by her pool. She was the Vice President of Finance for Quality Coils, Inc., of Bristol, whom she considered a second family, and from where she is a retiree, was President of the Southington Band Backers, and a parishioner of Mary Our Queen Church. Joyce had many interests and was a self-taught musician who played piano and sang songs at birthday and holiday parties, she placed second in the 1959 Connecticut State Roller Skating Dance Championship. She had a deep love of music, cinema, theatre, travel, socializing, and a special fondness for playing the ?slots.? She had a tremendous sense of humor and an uncanny knack for ending conversations, famously, with the phrases ?Peace of Cake,? ?You Bet Your Boots,? ?What is ? is,? ?I?m In Good Shape, For the Shape I?m In?, and finally; ?This too Shall Pass.?

Callings hours, celebrating Joyce?s life, will be held on Sunday March 17th from 1-4 p.m. at the Della Vecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Street, Southington. Her funeral will be held on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:45 a.m. from the funeral home to Mary Our Queen Church, 248 Savage St., Plantsville at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at South End Cemetery.