Joyce Leach '57

Joyce Leach passed away on October 19, 2024 at Kennebunk Health & Rehab., where she had resided since July 2023 after breaking a hip.

Joyce was born in Fryeburg, Maine on March 22, 1939 to parents Lyle and Eileen (Hutchins) Leach.

Joyce attended local schools and graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1957.

Joyce was a worker from a young age. For several years from 8th grade on, she worked taking care of the elderly to give their families some relief time.

Joyce also worked at Whitakers store in Fryeburg and the A&P store in Fryeburg, Conway and North Conway, before realizing her passion was to work with the elderly, where she then started her career at Hicks Nursing Home in Fryeburg and took classes to receive her LPN license in nursing and then later received her administrators license. During her 30 plus year career, she was Director of Nursing and Administrator.

After retiring she bought a second home in Georgia and kept that for several years until moving back to Fryeburg full time.

Joyce enjoyed watching sports games on television.

She was known as JoJo to her siblings, nieces and nephews whom she introduced snowmobiling to them when they were young. She always made special things for them during the holidays, such as cream puffs and homemade ice cream. Family was one of the most important things to her.

Joyce is survived by sister Cindy Leach Walsh (husband Tim Walsh), brother-in-law Doug Swett; nieces Debra Santa Maria (husband Mike) and Melissa Brooks (husband Damon); nephews John Rogers, Lyle Leach (wife Faye), Shawn Daigle (wife Janel) and Neil Daigle (wife Laura); great nieces Aimee Herlihy (husband TJ and children Kenzie, Jack, Hunter, Bryson and Chloe), Angel Sargent (children Wyatt), Logan Leach (children Maliyah), McKenzie Daigle, Pilar Daigle, Layla Daigle, Lucy Daigle, Amanda Hoffman (husband Noah and children Natalie and Hailey); great nephews Joel Daigle, Dan Sargent (children Maryjane), and Nate Rogers (children Noah).

Joyce was predeceased by her parents Lyle and Eileen Leach; sisters Marilyn Daigle and Patricia Swett; brother Gordon Leach; and dear friend Heidi Fischer.

There will be a memorial graveside service at Pine Grove Cemetery in Fryeburg on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers Joyce asked donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

Arrangements are under the care of Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren St., Fryeburg. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.woodfuneralhome.org