Joyce Elaine Ludden Grove

Scarborough, ME - Joyce Grove, known as Gigi to all who love her, passed away surrounded by her family and close friends. She fought the cancer battle with grace, quiet courage, humor and style. She was unquestionably the finest dressed hospice patient ever to enter the program!

Joyce was born April 7, 1936 in Springfield, Massachusetts at the Springfield Hospital to Earl Ludden and Gladys Cooper Ludden.

She graduated from Classical High School in 1954 and the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston in 1956. She went on to graduate from the Stern Brothers Executive Training Program in 1958.

On July 29th, 1961 she married Richard Frank Grove and gave birth to Todd Cooper Grove on February 8, 1963.

Maintaining her love of retailing she became a Buyer for Forbes and Wallace and worked there from 1963 to 1971 when she retired to raise her son. In 1981, she began working for Jordan Marsh in Boston where she held numerous executive positions. When the store closed, she went to work for Grossmans Lumber as a liaison between manufacturers and the company. She retired in 1996 and later worked part time for Big Y Foods until 2009. In June of 2012, she relocated to Portland, Maine to be close to her beloved family.

Gigi was a doting grandmother, a loving mom and a friend to all who were fortunate enough to enter her inner circle. She overcame adversity throughout her life by combining fierce inner strength with dignity, a wonderful sense of humor, a tightly knit group of life-long friendships and an occasional Manhattan (with a splash of Maraschino juice for good measure).

She leaves behind two grandchildren, Colin and Ethan, her daughter in-law Mary and son Todd. Also grieving her loss is her closest friend, Ginger Lawlor, who was always there and always will be.

A celebration of her life will be held in Cumberland, Maine at a time not yet determined.

Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Gigi’s guestbook and to leave condolences for the family.

Please consider sending donations to:

Hospice of Southern Maine,

180 US Route 1

Scarborough, Maine 04074

or a local Hospice organization near you.

They are - one and all – the kindest, most capable group of caregivers any family could ever ask for. We have been blessed by their presence and could not have made it through this difficult journey without their guidance.

Peace

Todd Grove