She was born to the late Napoleon Drinkwine and Ruth Lemnah on January 10, 1934 in St. Albans, Vermont. Joyce graduated from Bellows Free Academy and received her BS in Education from Johnson State College in 1957.
Joyce met her husband at the American Legion Club in St. Albans after returning from teaching her first semester. Richard was sleeping at a table and she told her friends to “wake up the little guy; I want to meet him.” After a few dates, she remembers telling her mother at the kitchen sink that she had met “the one”. They met in December and were married February 17, 1958 and had been married for 62 years.
They had three children, Catherine McDonald, Richard McDonald, Jr., and Joseph McDonald. Some of her fondest memories while raising her family include spending time at Candlewood Lake in Connecticut, Sunday afternoon drives in the family station wagon and summer vacations to Wildwood, New Jersey at the beach and boardwalk. She was a hands-on mom, always participating in school, band and sport activities and setting up school classroom at home even before the school year began. As a mother, she always sacrificed her needs for the good of her family.
The family moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1970. Joyce and Richard enjoyed years of cowboy dancing, two trips to Ireland, 17 cruises, bowling leagues, lounge acts and dancing, traveling with the kids and grandkids and supporting their grandchildren’s activities: never missing a recital or a hockey game. Joyce watched the grandkids after school so they wouldn’t have to be in daycare after she had worked all day and took them roller skating, to Pistol Pete’s, taught them to swim, sew, crochet, played board games, dodge ball and kept them entertained and busy. I don’t know who had more fun; her or them.
Joyce love teaching school and took an interest in drama and theatre and organized numerous plays each year for her classroom students. Science also interested her so there was always a science experiment on our living room coffee table. She was passionate about her work and was able to inspire her students and even get them excited about learning. This was her gift and it is my guess that she was probably one of their most memorable teachers.
Joyce was incredible proud of her family and the kindness they showed each other; this was always important to her and she spoke of it often. She will be remembered for her selfless nature, her willingness to help others before helping herself, her strong will, her meaningful letter writing and storytelling, never forgetting birthdays and special occasions, her love for her beloved Boston Terrier Ozzie, her unconditional love and support to her children, the incredible joy that being a Grandma brought her, having dinner on the table every night at 6:00 p.m. sharp for 62 years despite her declining health and not being able to call her while her “tennis” was on or during her nap. Most of all, she is respected, loved and admired for honoring her marriage vows for 62 years, through sickness and in health and loving and caring for her husband. Watching your parent’s health deteriorate is hard but I have been blessed to witness true love and commitment on a whole other level.
She is survived by her Sister Constance Fontaine; Brother Floyd Fontaine. Her loving Husband, Richard J McDonald; her Children Catherine L McDonald, Richard J (Lilly) McDonald Jr., Joseph F. McDonald; her Grandchildren, Cameron Goodall, Tiana Salvas-Fridley, Courtney McDonald, Bryan McDonald, Megan Fier, William McDonald, Chloe McDonald, Shawn Fridley; and Great Grandchildren, Stella Goodall, Greyson Goodall, and Harrison Salvas.
An inspiration to us all. You enriched our lives.
The family will privately lay her to rest at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial and Cemetery in Boulder City, NV.
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