Mary L. (Galvin) Joyce

Mary Louise Joyce, a resident of Reading, Massachusetts for 50 years, passed away peacefully at the Atrium Assisted Living in Danvers on Sunday, August 24, 2014, after five years of progressive dementia and declining health.

Mary, the daughter of Helen and Michael Galvin, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on December 6, 1925. She was one of seven children and always had especially fond childhood memories of her oldest brother John, whom she described as smart and fun, and whom she missed greatly since his death at an early age. Her other childhood stories included fun times with her sisters as well as loving memories of her younger brothers. Mary loved Cambridge and would frequently recall wonderful times from when she was a youth through her thirties of walking and biking throughout the city.

In May of 1959, Mary married Richard Joyce. They shared many happy years together in which they raised a caring and loving family. Together they enjoyed numerous vacations and countless laughs. Living in Reading, Mary loved her home and her yard. She found pleasure walking through the neighborhoods and attending community events.

Having earned a scholarship, Mary attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Brighton Massachusetts and graduated in 1943. She later attended night classes to earn her degree, and advanced her career at the Internal Revenue Service. She made strong friendships at the workplace and truly liked working. Her hard work also helped her appreciate her time off. Mary found the perfect balance between work and leisure time. She led a healthy, happy, and active life. Mary did not envy anyone's life and was able to leave this world with no regrets.

She is survived by her daughter Nancy Najmi and husband Farrukh, her daughter Barbara Szatkowski and husband Michael, her grandson Danyal Najmi and wife Azza, her grandson Omar Najmi and husband Brendon Shapiro, her grandson Alexander Szatkowski, her grandson Andrew Szatkowski, her grandson Farid Najmi, and her granddaughter Mary Szatkowski. She is also survived by her sister Eileen Lividoti, and her sister Patricia Cournoyer and husband Henry.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Michael Galvin (1977), her mother, Helen Roche Galvin (1972), her brother John Galvin , her brother Robert Galvin (1984), her sister Dorothy Napolitano (1996), her brother James Galvin , and her husband Richard Joyce (2009).

Funeral from the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden St. READING, Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 8am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Mary's Eternal Life in St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St. Reading at 9am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the Family on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and ramped entrance are available. Interment Charles Lawn Memorial Park, Reading.

Please honor Mary by making donations in her memory toMystic Valley Elder Services http://www.mves.org.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome