Joyce was born in Boston to the late Harold and Mary (Winn) Hooper. Growing up locally, she graduated from area schools and continued her pursuit of education. She attended Aquinas Junior College and Salem State College, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She began teaching in Medway High School, sharing her knowledge with those students. Upon being blessed with her first child, Joyce retired from teaching to raise her family. She was deeply involved in the Parent Teacher Association, both locally as part of her children’s education and serving as a past President of the Massachusetts PTA and a Life Time member of the National PTA. During this time, she continued her work as an educator of young minds by serving as a substitute teacher for the Sandwich school system for 25 years.
Joyce had many interests such as making quilts, baby blankets, interior decorating, gardening and going out to dinner. She loved the East Sandwich beach where she made many friends for life. While the kids were growing up she loved to ski and many other family activities together with her sister Ellen’s family. She also loved to vacation in the Bahamas and Mexico . She inspired her daughter Sara to attain a PHD in School Psychology. Her greatest joy were her grandchildren especially Kegan.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 43 years Frank F. Knippenberg, mother of Frank H. Knippenberg of South Boston, Kevin M. Knippenberg and wife Julie of Duxbury, Sara A. Knippenberg of Colorado, Amy E. Murray and her husband Orrett of Brewster. Sister to Donald Hooper of Nebraska, twin sister to Peter Hooper of Florida, Ellen Lachapelle of Maine, James Hooper of Hull and John Hooper of Braintree. Grandmother to Kegan Knippenberg, Anthony Phillips, and the twins Benjamin and Molly Knippenberg. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, March 21, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm in the Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home located at 154 Route 6A in Sandwich.
A Funeral Home Service will be held on Thursday, March 22, at 11:00am, in the Funeral Home.
Burial will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s honor to the Disabled Veterans of America.
