Joyce S. Lenz

Joyce Payson Slavin Lenz 81, a former longtime resident of Stamford, born September 2, 1930 in Quincy, MA to John L. Payson, Jr. and Doris Barnes, left this world peacefully on Thursday April 26th, with her loving family, her adoring cats, Sassy and Percy and dog, Lolly, at her side. She spent her early years in Wollaston, MA and during the late thirties moved to Braintree where she graduated from Thayer Academy. Joyce then attended Colby College in New London, New Hampshire, majoring in English and Art. She attended Academy Modern in Boston where she trained professionally as a model.

Joyce moved to Norwalk with her family and later married Francis “Frank” Slavin from Stamford in 1954. Frank died in 1958 leaving Joyce with three young children and his business. Joyce became a licensed real estate and insurance broker and assumed and operated the Frank T. Slavin Agency for 7 years. She remarried several years later to the late Frederick P. Lenz, Jr., who later served on the Board of Representatives in Stamford's 1st District and became Mayor of Stamford from 1973-1975 when Joyce enjoyed her responsibilities as Stamford’s First Lady.

Joyce continued her career in real estate and retired in the late nineties whereupon she moved to Stratford to be closer to her children. She took up oil painting and resumed writing poetry and enjoyed the company of her many lifelong friends, traveling and her annual family vacations.

Joyce was predeceased by a stepson, Frederick Lenz, III, and survived by her four children: Peter and his wife Ileana Barns-Slavin of Wilton, Daniel of Virginia Beach, Pamela DiMartino and her husband Joseph of Shelton and Lisa Arsenault of Stratford. In addition, she is survived by her six grandchildren Christopher, Dale, Kelly, Lauren, Zoe and Rachel; a brother John Payson, III of Norwalk and his wife Margrit; her niece Hope Payson and her partner Christeli of Barkhamstead and her nephew Jay C. Payson and his wife Alyssa of Altamonte Springs, FL.

The family will receive friends this Sunday, April 29, 4-7 p.m., followed by a funeral service on Monday at 11 a.m. to be held at the Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford. Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce’s memory, may be made to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 99 Hawley Drive, Stratford, CT 06614. To leave a condolence, please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com.