November 4, 2021
Joyce, Patricia M.
Pat Joyce was always a little different. Throughout her 84 years with us, she celebrated and struggled with those differences. Pat lived life on her own terms, her own way. Fully independent, she often rejected tradition, expectations and choices made by others. She always went to her grandchildren’s school events and celebrations wearing her favorite color, hot pink. Exuberant, sparkling, funny, inclusive, fiercely loyal, supportive, colorful, and life of the party are all terms commonly used to describe Nana Pat. Nana Pat loved cats, wild colors, interesting shoes, and a good mystery to solve. Her contagious laughter was the loudest in any room; ironically, that included the Dedham Public Library, where she worked for many years. She was an early adopter and big fan of polar fleece. Since it’s invention she gifted us all with polar fleece items: blankets, jackets, vests, and many other warm and cozy accessories. Pat didn’t often celebrate her good work and the many gifts she gave to others. We, who are left behind, will celebrate her legacy. Daughter of the late William and Helen Keefe of Roslindale; Pat was the beloved sister of John Keefe and his partner Sheryl Goodall, Anne Lyons and her husband John, Mary Venditti and her husband Carlo, and William Keefe and his wife Pamela. Her 13 grandchildren will miss Nana Pat terribly: Olivia, Francisco and Erin Sierra; James Joyce and Katelyn Sepmoree; Ali and Kyle Craver and Taylor Joyce; Garrett, Derrek, and Jillian Joyce; and Colleen and John Joyce. Her 3 great grandchildren, Kinley and Preston Craver, and Joaquin Sierra, will miss her at every holiday and celebration. Her many nieces and nephews will miss their Aunt Patsy. Pat considered her 6 children’s journey to independence to be her greatest source of pride: Elena Sierra and her husband Claudio, James Joyce and his wife Kathy, Michael Joyce and his wife Nancy, William Joyce and his wife Lisa, John Joyce, and Elizabeth Joyce; we will all remember Ma with love and appreciation. We will think of her whenever we take out our pink lipstick or put on our polar fleece vest; talk to our kitties, listen to a Doobie Brothers song, or sleep cuddled up with our favorite blanket. Nana left in her own way, wrapped in her favorite polar fleece blanket, listening to Marvin Gaye, with her daughter Elena and granddaughter Olivia by her side. If you think of Mom, please wear your polar fleece, lipstick, and hot pink clothes item in her honor. A private family celebration of Pat’s life will be held later this year. In her memory, donations can be made to Boston Healthcare for the Homeless at bhchp.org.
Comments(19)
Goodbye to my loving sister who had been a beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many.She is sadly missed at present but we can be assuaged that she now enjoys rejoining other family members, countless prior friends, her beloved pets in the presence of her loving GOD.
ARRIVEDERCI SWEETHEART.
We are so sorry for your loss!! All your loving memories of Nana Pat will keep her with you always. With deepest sympathy, Joanne and Bob Crisp
We are so very sorry for your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Denise and Stephen Curtin
I will miss my mother-in-law very much. She was always a lot of fun and very loving. I will miss taking her to her doctor’s visits. Most especially, when she would fill out and read aloud her medical history questionnaire to the other patients in the waiting room. After she had everyone’s attention in the room, she would love to shock the patients with her response to the question about her last sexual encounter. After her wise crack, she would follow up with her loud cackle.
Much love to Pat. May you Rest In Peace.
Although I am not a relative, I always called Pat, Nana Pat or Nana P., because that’s how Elena introduced her to me the first time we met at the Summer Shack, and Nana P. always made you feel like family. She came in to visit us with her family for special occasions, or to just have dinner, and I always knew she was in the building before I even saw her because her boisterous voice and that great laugh always proceeded her. She always had a great story to tell that would keep me laughing hysterically. I would make her a mocktail and order her fish and chips, because that’s what she liked, and enjoy her company each time. In life you meet certain people whom you will always remember fondly, and miss when they’re not there, and Nana P was certainly one of those special people. God bless you and your family Nana Pat. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Chris Perry
Patsy Keefe was always fun!
I was friends with Anne back in the day when the Keefes
lived on Walter St. In Roslindale. Anne and I loved to play jokes on Patsy.
Chocolate ice cream facial one
nite as she slept. She was not happy but always a good sport. RIP Patsy. God BLESS
Pat was always a pleasure to be around. Working with her at the Dedham Library was never a dull moment. I can still hear her saying ” If you don’t sign in, you don’t get paid” yes, you could hear her no matter where you were in the building! Patsy, had a heart of gold and will surely be missed in Dedham and beyond.
Rest easy my beautiful friend xo
Aunt Patsy was an amazing and loving aunt and friend. We are so blessed to have had her in our lives. She will be greatly missed. We loved her awesome sense of humor, unbelievably kind heart and her ability to bring joy to any room she walks into. Forever in our hearts, John, Jen, Mabel, Maggie and Meryl
My dear Aunt Patsy was a very special person in our lives. She was kind, loving, smart, generous, funny as heck and had a very big heart. She was a very bright light! She will be missed but her spirit will forever live on with us. Love from Buffa, Bubba, John & Max
Having loving sister Pat guide me through my life was truly a gift. Her wonderful qualities will always be with me and all the family. Best remembered doe her quick wit, kindness, generous, intelligence and so full of life. Already miss our many weekly phone calls. You have left a hole in my heart. God bless!!!
Although I did not know Patricia Joyce, I read her obituary and feel that it beautifully described an interesting and amazing woman who is very much loved!
What a wonderful tribute to your mother and grandmother!!
So sorry that you lost this wonderful woman!
DEAR ANNE AND FAMILY MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR BELOVED SISTER. THOUGH I NEVER MET HER, I KNEW HER THROUGH OUR TALKS OF HER GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND FUN SHE BROUGHT TO YOU.
PAT IS NOW IN THE ARMS OF THE LORD AND RESTING PEACEFULLY.YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY PRAYERS. LOVE CHRIS
My heart is broken!!! Aunt Patsy was one of my best gal pals and my Beloved Godmother!! I already miss her terribly!!! I have so many wonderful memories of time spent sweetly with her!!! So many laughs and fun times!!! My deepest sympathy to my Joyce cousins and family and my Beautiful Mom, Uncle John, Aunt Mae and Uncle Billy!! Aunt Patsy is now with Nana & Pop Keefe!!!
My life is totally of kilter as my beloved sister and constant companion has departed this world. We shared a lifetime of memories together and she was definitely the ying to my yang. I will remember with great fondness and love Patsy’s great wit, sense of humor, intelligence and kind and giving heart and endless memories that will last a lifetime. I loved her yesterday, I love her today and will love her forever. She will always have a special place in my heart. Love, Anne Louise
Pat was such a wonderful friend and co-worker to my mom, Marie. They shared so many laughs and shenanigans while working at the Dedham Public Library. Such great days.
Pat even took in my cat, Emma when I had to find a new home for her.
She was one of a kind, with a wit that will long be remembered.
May she rest in sweet peace. ❤️
When I became a brother-in-law in 1965 and until her passing, I always admired Pat’s many societal traits. A recent event was a big family gathering when we both celebrated our 80th birthday together. We shared the same month[March]and the same year.
Pat as I write this, I know that you have left this temporal world; BUT, you will forever be among us in a special way until we are called to join you. Carlo
When I first met Nana Pat, I felt as if I had known her all my life. She was such a beautiful soul who brightened everyone’s day.
She was a very special lady. I loved to hear stories of her taking all her kids to the grocery store when they were young… What a brave woman! Every story was special and always made us laugh. Steve and Nana became very good friends after meeting at Erin’s wedding. Nana, you may have left your earthly home, but you will live forever in our hearts. Fly high, sweetheart.
The first time I met Nana P was when I came to Boston to meet Jim’s family. We had been dating for a while and I was nervous.
You see I come from a small town in East Texas much different than Dedham MA.
What I found however was a woman and her family that welcomed me, loved me and treated me as their own.
This is Nana P’s legacy to treat people with generosity and love no matter how different from yourself they may be.
Thanks for all the love and blankets too we still fight over who gets “the Wolf” when it’s cold
Kat
To Pats family, Pat was across the hall from my mom years ago when they lived at O’Neil drive. I can remember many a times where my mom would have Pat over for a glass of ice tea. Didn’t matter the time of year. She was a great friend of my mom’s and when my mom passed away she was there for us front row at her celebration of life. I send my heartfelt sympathy to the entire family. RIP my friend.