Joyce Watson Willsey

Joyce Watson Willsey, loved and respected by all, passed away on May 7, 2015, surrounded by her loved ones. Joyce will be lovingly remembered for her beauty, grace, strength, selflessness and dignity. Steadfast, gentle and true, she left her mark as a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Born the daughter of Helen and Arthur Watson on March 5, 1926, Joyce grew up in Wethersfield, graduating from Wethersfield High in 1943. She attended Russell Sage College and married her high school sweetheart and love of her life Warren “Bill” Willsey. Joyce was a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Wethersfield Country Club and The Garden Club. Her family was her first love and her passions included baking, golfing, reading, playing bridge, supporting the UConn Huskies and working alongside Bill on his many community service projects. Joyce leaves her four children and their families: Jeanne and William Conrad of West Hartford and children Jennifer Wedeles and husband Thomas and Mark Conrad and wife Kimberly; Thomas and Maureen Willsey of Wethersfield and children Laura Hoff and husband David, Gregory Willsey, Molly Willsey and Paige Vila; Jodie and Richard Heimgartner of Wethersfield and children Kim Dingler and husband Jeffrey, Jay Heimgartner and wife Marisa, and Thomas Heimgartner; John and Laurie Willsey of Old Saybrook and children Samuel Willsey, Sarah Willsey and Justin Phillips. She leaves her great grandchildren, who brought her so much joy: Lila and James Wedeles; Caroline Conrad; Averie, Alexa and Adley Hoff; Joshua and Jillian Dingler; and Emma and Jack Heimgartner. She also leaves her sisters and their husbands, Betty Ann and Albert Kottke and Judith and David Winer; her brothers and their wives, Robert and Wendy Watson, Richard and Susan Watson, Gary Watson, and Thomas and Leslie Watson; and her brother and sister-in-law, Lynn and Beverly Willsey. Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 58 years; her first and beloved grandson, James Christopher Conrad; her parents; her sister, Eunice Crosen; and her sister and brother-law, Bette and Hobart Potter. The family wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to Joyce’s many caring nurses, doctors and aides at Seabury’s Brewer Unit. Contributions in Joyce’s memory may be made to Seabury Charitable Foundation, Brewer Unit, 200 Seabury Drive, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or to The James Christopher Conrad Memorial Fund of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG), 10 Columbus Boulevard, 8th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106.

A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 300 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT, at 11:00 am on May11, 2015. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield, is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory of Joyce with the family, please visit www.desopo.com.