Joyce Anita Blundon

The Blundon Family joins in celebrating the life of Joyce Anita (Lesch) Blundon. She went to join her husband and God on Thursday, September 18, 2014 at Yale New Haven Hospital, surrounded by all of her children.

Born on December 17, 1931, in Buffalo, New York, to the proud parents of the late Gomer G. and Anne Lesch, and her brother Gomer.

While at a church picnic she pointed out Robert W. Blundon to a girlfriend, saying that’s the man she was going to marry and on July 28, 1951 she and Bob were married. It was special and blessed marriage of more than 50 years.

Family was a very important part of her life and she knew she wanted a large family. Having a large family meant that the apartment in Buffalo, NY would be too small and this brought them their first house in Tonawanda, NY. It was just right for starting a family. Her husband accepted a new job in New Haven, Ct. Which lead Joyce and Bob to purchase their home in Madison in 1959, where they would spend the next 50 years raising and enjoying their family. Joyce would remain in the home she loved for the rest of her earthly life.

Her spiritual faith was another very strong part of her life. Starting young and on her own she would always strive to learn about our Lord and live a Christian life, sharing the word of the Lord and giving guidance to others. Her years of service as a member and deacon of the North Madison Congregational Church allowed her achieve many spiritual rewards and blessings.

She worked a variety of waitress jobs in the area, mostly the midnight shift so that she could be with her family during daytime hours. It was during this time, she learned about the world of trucking. The truck drivers would always talk about their trucks. So she created “ her own” truck which she described as a all chrome- Peterbuilt with a cab under instead of a cab over. To haul a load canaries south on weekends, making sure to hit the cages at the weigh station in order to make the load lighter.

As the family grew, she changed jobs to start a rewarding career at Cheesebourgh Ponds. She started on the manufacturing floor, then into Quality Control area and finishing in the Logistics Dept. Later on she was involved with two of her sons at Madison Earth Care Garden Center. All of these jobs had one thing in common, being able to talk to people about her family and make new friends.

Her interests were many but it was about learning something new, working with people and sharing her family stories. Her part time work at Hilda’s Yarn Shop meant that she could pursue her knitting, sewing and quitting passions. The earlier years were spent taking the kids to the Museum of Science in Buffalo, down to the waterfront fishing, or explaining the different kinds of birds at the bird feeder. Her adventurous spirit was always trying to learn more!

Gardening often was her way to learn and teach how to grow things including the family bonds. It allowed her to become very good at spoiling the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Being an avid reader allowed her to share and have extended conversations with family and any one to listen!

There were so many areas of interest for her, Newfoundland, Vermont, Hospice Care, Clown Ministry, the outdoors, water, fishing, reading, and learning. The joys of her life were her husband, family, friends, and storytelling, sharing family stories, humor, and just being a part of her family life. Friends always were a part of her life and important to her. She was certainly wise, knowledgeable, and funny. She would remind us all to remember, “That life is short so eat dessert first”. She was the center of our family and our rock to rely on.

Her husband, Robert W. Blundon entered eternal life in 2001. She is survived by her brother, Gomer Lesch, Bowling Green, KY, Her children, Leslie (Laura) Blundon, Litchfield, NH, Robert ( Melissa) Blundon, Timothy( Kathy) Blundon, Rev. Robin Blundon, all of Madison, CT Thomas (Margaret) Blundon, Niantic, CT, Elizabeth (Brian) Spencer, Guilford, CT, Andrew ( Pam) Blundon, Monmouth, ME; and her grandchildren Joanna Carrier, Sarasota, FL, Christopher(Meghan) Blundon, Litchfield, NH , Meredith ( Jeff) Young, Rachael (Alex) Klein, Abigail Blundon, Katherine Blundon, Robert Blundon, all of Madison, CT, Timothy Briggs, Glastonbury, CT, Shane Donohue, Boston, MA , Julie (GR) Nash, Chester, CT, James(Rebecca) Blundon, Charlestown, NH, Rebecca (Andrew) Hastings, Jason Spencer, Andrew Spencer, Aimee Spencer, Kaycee Spencer, Jessica Spencer , Christian Spencer all of Guilford, CT (and Emili Mahon of Branford, CT), Grace and Hope Blundon, of Madison, CT, Robert (Jamie) Blundon, Monmouth ME, Drew Blundon, Samantha Blundon, Autumn Blundon, all of Monmouth, ME, Renee Blundon, Tanzania , Alisa (Kim) Blundon , Myanmar, Andrea (Steve) Simmons, Amanda (Joshua) Seekins, both of Augusta, ME, Faith Hatheway, Waterbury, CT; Along with 14 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Last but not least, her best friend and her canine companion of many years, Sassy.

In keeping with Joyce’s wishes, there will be “Joyce’s Coffee Hour” on Monday, September 22, 2014 at the North Madison Congregational Church from 5pm to 7pm. Family and friends will share stories and coffee.

A memorial service will be held at the North Madison Congregational Church in North Madison, CT on Tuesday, 23 September 2014 at 1:00 pm. Please know Joyce felt this was a celebration of her faithful life, please dress comfortably, in bright colors!

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of her favorite charities: United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltsburg Road Suite 201, Pittsburg, PA 15239, Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453, Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540 or Show Hope, PO Box 647, Franklin, TN 37065. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com for tributes and condolences.