Rev. Dr. Joy Ann Rose

Joy Rose, educator and Episcopal priest, died peacefully on June 18, 2025 in Spring Hill, FL. She was 80 years old. The world has lost a dear soul and a gifted teacher and church leader. Her love of learning, and her desire to share what she learned with those she faithfully served, characterized her entire life.

Joy Ann Aquino was born in Norwalk, CT to Vincent and Anne Greenfield Aquino. She grew up there with a sister and many members of a large Italian-American family. She graduated from Syracuse University with honors in both English and education. For almost 30 years she taught English, Language Arts, and Reading in public schools in Norwalk, Trumbull, and Shelton, CT, and at St. Joseph High school in Trumbull. During this time she earned a Master's Degree in English from the University of Bridgeport (CT), and 6th Year credits in Educational Administration. Wherever she taught, she was valued for her pedagogical expertise, her collegiality, and her commitment to students.

Later in life, Joy re-invented herself with focus and perseverance, continuing her quest as a Lifetime Learner. She received a Masters in Religious Studies from Hartford Seminary (Hartford, CT) in 1997. She earned a Certificate in Liturgical Studies from Oxford University (England) in 2001, a Master's Degree of Divinity from Yale University in 2002, and a Doctorate of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2010. Joy was ordained an Episcopal priest in 2003. For the next 15 years, she was a Church Leader in Episcopal parishes in Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Florida. Her warm and empathetic persona and her ability to communicate the "Good News" of the Gospel lifted hearts and strengthened faith at every service. Her parishioners loved "Mother Joy."

Outgoing and animated, she befriended people and helped wherever she worked and lived. She collected donations for Food Banks. She worked as a hospital chaplain. She was an unapologetic LIBERAL woman who believed in equality and opportunity for all. She traveled the world and steeped herself in music, literature and culture. And she adored living in Florida! She would often drive out on the beach in Daytona Beach and thrive in the warm Florida sun. She was so happy introducing her grandson Nicholas to her favorite beach and to rescue organizations that cared for the local manatees. She enjoyed sharing the creatures at Seaworld with Nicholas, too. She loved animals, adopted a series of cats always named "Fluffy"or "Mittens", and especially enjoyed conducting the annual Blessing of the Animals at her churches. Her family and friends have indelible memories of this very special woman, and those memories give them comfort at this time of sorrowful loss.

Joy was married for 33 years to Jerome Rose and they had two children: David (wife Jeannine and son Nicholas) of Brooksville, FL, and Lynn, of Leeds, MA.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 200 S. Brooksville Ave, in Brooksville at 12 noon on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, followed by a reception at Turner Funeral Home on Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill. Donations in Joy's memory may be made to the ASPCA at https://www.aspca.org