Joy Frances Gregoire

Joy Frances Gregoire was born in Buford, South Carolina on May 22, 1956 to James G. Young Sr. and Janice (Demers) Young. She grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, was educated in the Catholic school system and attended Manchester Central High School where she was in the color guard, sang in the choir and was an award-winning swimmer. She attended Hesser College where she received her Associates degree in accounting. After college, she worked as a bookkeeper and secretary at the Farnum Center in New Hampshire. She married Edward Gregoire on June 10, 1986. She traveled with her family from New Hampshire to South Carolina, Maine to Scotland to Virginia. During that time, she worked in the home, provided in-home childcare before she was employed at the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads from 1999 until 2013 when she stayed at home to take care of her mother.

Joy was a woman who had a large and kind heart. She was beloved by those who knew her. She would always listen and give advice. She opened her home to those who needed a warm meal and a kind word. She loved music, fishing, puzzles, animals, and spending time with those she loved. She also loved to cook from scratch and rarely failed. The only time it failed was when she attempted to make a never fail fudge…it dented the cement when dropped from a third floor building!

A fiercely strong-willed and uncommonly kind person whose entire life revolved around looking out for other people, she had a natural way of making others feel like family. She had a wit and sense of humor that ranged from the dry and sarcastic to the outright bombastic. She was also a person of deep faith, and sang regularly with her church. She had a beautiful voice. She was a conduit for the good that can be found in all people and situations. She willed the good into existence.

Family members include husband, Edward Gregoire of 38 years; daughter, Jennifer Kilroy and her husband, Chris Kilroy; granddaughter, Alyssa Kilroy and grandson, Jonathan Kilroy; daughter, Elisha Gregoire and her husband, Timothy Gregoire; her sister, Deborah Torres; her brothers, Patrick Young and his wife, Anna Young; James G. Young Jr. and his wife, Kathleen; as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary (Young) Trinko; her mother, Janice (Demers) Young and her father, James G. Young Sr.

A visitation for Joy will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462.

A Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462.

On Monday, February 5, 2024, she will be laid to rest at A. G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd., Suffolk, Virginia 23434. In lieu of flowers, the family requests to honor her by donating in Joy’s name to the Virginia Beach ASPCA 3040 Holland Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.