Joyce Dignam Flynn, a beloved mother, grandmother and sister, passed peacefully on Saturday, August 24th, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 83. Joyce was born to Grace and Walter Dignam on February 14, 1941 in Portland, Maine. She was the second of four girls: Judy, Joyce, Joan and Janice.
Joyce graduated from Barrington High School in Rhode Island and then from Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, played field hockey, and graduated with a degree in Psychology.
After college, Joyce moved to Boston, where she earned a degree in Dental Hygiene from Tufts University. She worked as a dental hygienist in New York. Eventually, like her sisters, she married a Colby graduate, Mike Flynn, who was serving in the Navy. They had three sons – Sean, Kevin and Ryan – who became the focus of her life. Mike’s career brought them to Vermont, where she would raise her family.
She went back to school at the University of Vermont, where she earned a Master of Education, and later taught grade school at Mater Christi school in Burlington, VT.
Joyce loved gardening and had large flower and vegetable gardens in the yards of every house where she lived. She turned to painting later in life and fell in love with watercolors. Her faith was always a key element of her life. She attended mass regularly and made sure her boys received a Catholic education.
She is survived by her three sons: Sean, Kevin and Ryan; three sisters: Judy, Joan and Janice; and seven grandchildren: Patrick, Riley, Ryan, Clare, Charlotte, Haris and Sabeen.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St. in Winchester, MA on Saturday, September 21 at 2pm. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to everyone who provided Joyce with loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to Catholic Charities https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.
We miss her greatly and will struggle to fill the void that her passing has left.
Joyce graduated from Barrington High School in Rhode Island and then from Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, played field hockey, and graduated with a degree in Psychology.
After college, Joyce moved to Boston, where she earned a degree in Dental Hygiene from Tufts University. She worked as a dental hygienist in New York. Eventually, like her sisters, she married a Colby graduate, Mike Flynn, who was serving in the Navy. They had three sons – Sean, Kevin and Ryan – who became the focus of her life. Mike’s career brought them to Vermont, where she would raise her family.
She went back to school at the University of Vermont, where she earned a Master of Education, and later taught grade school at Mater Christi school in Burlington, VT.
Joyce loved gardening and had large flower and vegetable gardens in the yards of every house where she lived. She turned to painting later in life and fell in love with watercolors. Her faith was always a key element of her life. She attended mass regularly and made sure her boys received a Catholic education.
She is survived by her three sons: Sean, Kevin and Ryan; three sisters: Judy, Joan and Janice; and seven grandchildren: Patrick, Riley, Ryan, Clare, Charlotte, Haris and Sabeen.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St. in Winchester, MA on Saturday, September 21 at 2pm. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to everyone who provided Joyce with loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to Catholic Charities https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.
We miss her greatly and will struggle to fill the void that her passing has left.
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