One of thirteen children, her parents, Edgar and Marion (Smart) Madden, welcomed their daughter into the world on March 2, 1934 in Greenbush, Maine. Joyce grew up in Keene and was a 1952 graduate of Keene High School.
Early on, Joyce worked for insurance companies in Keene. After her marriage to Donald Doody of Keene, they moved to Roswell, New Mexico while he served in the Air Force.
They returned to Keene after discharge from the Air Force. After her children were grown, she worked as a bookkeeper with Fairfield Motors in Keene. Her greatest joy in life however was the many memories she created raising her family and caring for her home. She was an assistant Girl Scout leader with her daughter’s troop in Swanzey. She also served as a member of the Supervisors of the Checklist for the town of Swanzey for several years.
Joyce and her husband, Donald, enjoyed traveling. They also spent 23 years wintering at their home in Port Orange, FL. Joyce was a fierce competitor when playing cards and board games, something she truly loved to do. She also enjoyed completing crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.
She will be greatly missed by many, especially her four children, Linda Price and her husband, Harry, of Marlborough, Donald J. Doody, Jr. and his wife, Margie, of Keene, Ellen Orkins and her husband, Gregory, of Marlborough, Molly Melanson and her husband, Bob, of Keene; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three brothers, John Madden and Owen Madden, both of Keene, and Lyle Madden of Florida; three sisters, Glenda Henderson of Keene, Judith Avery and Janice Parker, both of Swanzey; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Joyce was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Donald J. Doody, Sr. in 2015; five brothers, Amos Madden who died as a young child; and Edgar Madden, Milan Madden, Dennis Madden, Kermit Madden, and a sister, Marilyn Castor.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 22, 2020 at 11:00am in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery, Old Homestead Highway, Swanzey. Family and friends are invited to call on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00am at St. Bernard Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Doody’s memory to Patient Care Needs of Hospice, c/o Home Healthcare Hospice and Community Services, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431-0564.
