Barbara D. Joyce

SANDWICH, MA - Barbara D. Joyce, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 6th after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and a passion for gardening that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate to know her.

Barbara was born to the late Lavinia and Samuel White of Holden, MA where she lived until graduating from Wachusett Regional High School. After graduation, she obtained her Associate Degree from Becker Junior College and went to work at the Judge Baker Children’s Center in Boston. Barbara later had a long career on Cape Cod as a tax preparer for H&R Block where she did clients' taxes and instructed classes for over 30 years.

While living in Boston, Barbara met her husband of 55 years, Bob Joyce. Together they started their family in Winchester before settling in the town of Sandwich. They built a home on the Cape with beautiful gardens, with Bob tending the vegetable patch, while Barbara nurtured the hydrangea and many flowering plants. Barbara loved her gardens with their hummingbirds and flowers. She knew everything about gardening and was always the best person to talk to for gardening advice. Barbara channeled this passion into the Sandwich Garden Club, where she was a member for many years.

Barbara was a kind person who found joy in simple pleasures, whether it was reading the paper over her morning coffee, discovering new recipes, or enjoying walks with good friends. In warmer months, she loved spending time with her daughters, exploring nearby garden centers and going antiquing. However, her most cherished role was that of Grammy, where she treated her two grandchildren to frequent outings to Dunkins, town festivals and local parades.

Barbara will be deeply missed by her husband, Robert (Bob) Joyce of Sandwich, MA, her daughters Jennifer Joyce of Forestdale, MA, and Rebecca Joyce of Walpole, MA, and her faithful companion, a Cocker Spaniel named Cinnamon. She also leaves behind a son-in-law and two grandchildren who will forever remember Grammy for her immense thoughtfulness and loving nature. Barbara was predeceased by her brothers Robert White of Forestdale, MA and Gordon White of Holden, MA.

Visiting hours will be held at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home (Sandwich) on Sunday, April 28th from 4-7pm. Barbara’s ashes will be interred at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Monday, April 29th. Friends and family are invited to line up for the procession at 10:15am at Nickerson Bourne Funeral Home (Sandwich) and drive together to the cemetery. A celebration of Barbara’s life will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Barbara’s honor to The Sandwich Garden Club, PO Box 1731, Sandwich, MA 02563.