East Windsor Obituary: Joyce Beals, 91

Joyce Beals, 91, of East Windsor, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on August 3, 2016.

Joyce was born in the Canadian province of Ontario and later moved to Connecticut as a young girl. She was the beloved daughter of the late Roy and Anne (DeWitt) Cluff and a graduate of Bulkeley High School. Joyce was a remarkable person who was determined to make her way through life in a time when a divorced woman with two children could not obtain a mortgage, and lucrative work opportunities were something that could only be possible in a "man's world." In spite of this, she remained a dedicated mother to her two children, Brett and Debra, and always supported them with a generous heart and caring concern.

Joyce was motivated to give her family a comfortable life, despite the odds against her, and she was able to secure a purchasing agent position in the manufacturing industry. Despite numerous obstacles, she never wavered from her life's ambitions. Her hard work and determination later earned her a wonderful career opportunity at Puritan Furniture, where she served for many years as a sales associate up until her retirement at the impressive age of 83.

Joyce had a keen eye for detail and helped many customers make their homes beautiful with design and furniture ideas. She was an avid reader and enjoyed bowling, and loved the Boston Red Sox, except when the pitching was bad or Big Papi had too many strikeouts! She also loved playing cribbage and setback with her family and friends. But most of all, Joyce loved to travel. With her adventurous spirit, she occasionally trekked to Las Vegas and set sail on a number of cruises.

She owned and raced harness horses with her ex-husband, Everett and she loved to bet on them. She was an independent and persistent trailblazer; a proud and appreciative mother, Nana, and great-Nana with a thoughtful soul and free-spirited way that touched so many amazing friends in her life. Joyce will be missed and loved forever.

She is survived by a loving daughter, Debra White and husband Richard C. and a son, Brett L. Beals and wife Chris, all of Broad Brook; four beloved grandchildren, Jason White and wife Kristen, Michael White, James Beals, and Ashley Beals; and one beautiful great-grandchild, Logan White. In addition to her parents, Joyce is predeceased by brothers, Frederick "Chipy" Cluff and Edward Cluff, and her sister, Marion Martin.

Her family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 9th from 4 - 7 p.m. at Carmon Poquonock Funeral Home, 1816 Poquonock Ave., Windsor. A graveside funeral service for Joyce will be held on Wednesday, August 10th at 10 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery, Windsor. Friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery on Wednesday morning.

Joyce's family would also like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the nurses and support staff at Touchpoints at Chestnut Point Care Center in East Windsor for providing such compassionate care and attention.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joyce's honor may be made to Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 200, East Hartford, CT 06108.