Joan (McGonagle) Roycroft, "Grammy Joan", of Centerville, passed away on January 29, 2022. Born of Irish immigrants on May 27, 1922, her grandfather came to the United States on a working boat and ended up in Woburn, MA. Her father remembered the address of his father’s childhood home in Donegal, Ireland, because Joan’s father used to write home for his father, because his father could neither read nor write. Joan and her sister visited the thatched roof home years later. Joan was one of four children. A devout Catholic family, she had two sisters, Margaret and Eleanor, and a brother Jim. Both of Joan’s sisters served in WWII. Joan was the youngest and cared for her parents until they died. She was their only means of financial support and well-being.
Joan worked in public relations for 13 years at Abbott Everett Research Company. She was honored to be interviewed by Fortune Magazine for a paper that she wrote. Joan moved to Cape Cod and worked in the real estate industry. She met and married Donald Francis Roycroft when she was 60 years old. That was her first and only marriage and he was a widower. They were married for over 23 happy years until his death. They traveled the United States together. Joan was a very loving grandmother to her 20+ grandchildren. She would say she became an instant grandmother, and loved every one of those grandchildren. She enjoyed membership in the Discovery Club, numerous bridge and golf clubs, and was a communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church.
Joan is survived by her stepchildren, Mary Roycroft Saucier of Yarmouth Port, Maureen Roycroft Kievenaar of Broad Run, VA, and Michael Roycroft of Hanson. She was predeceased by 2 stepchildren, Donald Joseph Roycroft and Marjorie Powers. She is also lovingly survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was affectionately known as “Grammy Joan” and was treasured by all. We, the Roycroft family, were all blessed with her wisdom, love, and presence in our family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of Victory Church, Centerville. Burial will be private. Donations in Joan’s memory may be made to VNA Hospice of Cape Cod, 255 Independence Drive, Hyannis, MA 02601. Arrangements under the direction of Doane, Beal & Ames – Hyannis.
