Joyce H. Merchant

She was born in Milo, Maine on July 1, 1926 to the late Henry and Hazel (Weaver) Ricker. She moved to CT where she met her beloved husband Raymond Merchant Jr. They married in 1944 and built a wonderful life together until his passing in 2018. Joyce was employed as the bookkeeper of the family business, Ray's Auto Body for many years.

She was a member of the Wolcott Congregational Church and was a resident of Wolcott since 1955. She enjoyed square dancing, quilting, knitting, crocheting and camping with her family at York Beach in Maine. Joyce and her husband traveled the United States making it to every state except Alaska. They even traveled cross country 8 times on Ray's motorcycle. Her love for travel, family and friends will be remembered by all who loved and knew her.

Joyce is survived by her 5 children and their spouses, David and his wife Jacquelyn, Robert and his wife Mary Jane, William and his wife Renee, Steven and his wife Linda, and Bonnie and her husband Domenic. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Raymond, her two sisters Rebecca and Eleanor and her brother Vaughn.

All services are private and at the convenience of her family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in her name be made to Young Life by going to: giving.younglife.org

The DellaVecchia Funeral Home of Wolcott, CT has been entrusted with arrangements. To leave a message of remembrance for the family visit: www.DellaVecchiaWolcott.com