Patricia Joyce Padelford

Patricia Joyce Padelford, 82, of Rochester, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 9th. She asked all to call her by her middle name “Joyce”. She was the beloved wife of Richard Lewis Padelford. Joyce met Richard “Dick” when she was 18 years old. They started dating immediately. She was quiet, reserved and shy. Many wondered aloud “what was she thinking”. Opposites attract was never more accurate than it than it was here.

The step-daughter of Captain Lorenzo, and daughter of the late Anthony S. Silvia and Elsie Allende, she was born in Fall River and attended Friends Academy. She then graduated New Bedford High School in 1960. Joyce grew up surrounded by the rich maritime culture of the area. Her father, Larry, was as salty and colorful a character as can be found in the fishing communities of New England. He was the boat owner and captain of the F/V Ellen Lucielle. He was always among the top money producers for boats of her size and weight. I can still hear his booming voice yelling “ Yoy-see, you too skinny”. She was an avid reader throughout her life. Joyce was a frequent flyer at every library nearest her residence, always searching to immerse herself in her next literary escape. She particularly enjoyed curling up with a nice, hot cuppa Earl Grey tea with tales of love, mystery and especially Egyptian history.

In her early years she was a parishioner and Sunday School teacher at North Babtist church in New Bedford. Joyce’s professional life was as diverse as her reading interests. She worked as a medical secretary for the late Dr. John Barnes of Court Street in New Bedford, then as legal secretary for a local Mattapoisett Attorney.

Joyce and her husband Dick owned Cortes Country Store. Several years they acquired the strip plaza on Chace Road in Freetown. At all times Joyce was bookkeeper, cashier, paymaster and general overseer to be sure Richard was not getting too far over his head. Her patented look was usually enough to at least get a pause in whatever was happening. When the look was not sufficient she had 1 word to express the way she felt about it, “Jerk”.

She was very proud of our Snipatuit Road residence. We turned the thickly wooded lot into a fantastic ranch style home that she loved. She had the leading role in room location, size and all interior decorating. A role she loved. It was probably the only residence she had that she truly loved.

She is survived by her husband Richard Lewis Padelford, her children Richard Loren Padelford, and Pamela Padelford Allain; son-in-law Steven Allain; four grandchildren: Bradford Padelford, Cory Grant, Danielle Rodriques, and David J. Allain (predeceased) four great-grandchildren: Brayden Padelford, Braxton Padelford, Mia Rodriques and James Rodriques as well as several nieces and nephews.

The loss of grandson David was a terrible blow that she really never got over. She thought of him constantly. Nothing meant more to her than her family. She was thrilled at their successes in life.

When given the terrible news that the cancer was back and she was given 3 to 6 months to live. That was when I asked her to put together a bucket list that was doable. She had 1 item on her list: live to see the next great grandchild born. The birth was due early July. James Rodriques arrived on time. She got to hold and kiss him, she was happy.