Joyce H. Gray

Joyce H. (Brockman) Gray, age 87, formerly of Somerset, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River. She was the devoted wife of the late Charles G. Gray, with whom she shared over 50 years of marriage.

Born in Newport, Joyce was the daughter of the late Joseph and Irene (Souza) Brockman. She was raised in Somerset and, after marrying, lived in Swansea for 20 years before returning to Somerset in 1975, a place she always considered home.

Joyce was a proud graduate of Somerset High School, Class of 1956, and went on to attend Boston University. She dedicated 20 years of service as a surgical secretary at Rhode Island Hospital before retiring in 1996. Never one to remain idle, she later found great joy working as a teacher’s assistant at Atlantis Charter School in Fall River until 2018.

A faithful communicant of St. Thomas More Church, Joyce lived a quiet, meaningful life rooted in faith, family, and kindness. She loved reading and treasured the simple pleasures of life. In her younger years, she enjoyed camping and hiking with her family—memories that remained dear to her. Above all else, her grandchildren were her greatest joy and pride.

Joyce is survived by her loving daughters: Sondra Gray; Nancy Cardona and her husband Michael; and Karen O’Neil and her husband Richard. She leaves behind six cherished grandchildren: Amanda Stoeckel, Ysabel Cardona, Nikolas Cardona, and Maxwell Cardona, Quinn O’Neil and Jane O’Neil; and three beloved great-grandchildren, Elissa, Emmett, and Ethan Stoeckel. She is also survived by her sister, Lola Soares and her husband Charlie; her brother, Robert Brockman; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Brockman; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Lynda Hopke and sister of the late Kenneth Brockman.

Her Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas More Church, 386 Luther Avenue, Somerset followed by burial in Christ Church Cemetery, Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Services are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.