Dr. Joyce Reardon, 62, of West Roxbury passed from this life on December 1, 2012 in Newton Wellesley Hospital surrounded and supported by her loving friends and family.
Joyce grew up in Hamden CT and was the daughter of Anna (Girola) and James Reardon. She is survived by her brother Jim of Enfield, Connecticut, his wife Pat and their four children; J.P., Tim, Andy, and Katie and her dearest friend Anne Bellew of West Roxbury.
Joyce graduated with a degree in Nursing from Salve Regina University, a Masters of Science in Psychiatric Nursing from Boston College, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Regis College in 2011.
Joyce’s life mission was that of teacher. She was a professor at many local colleges and universities over the years, but it is her role as mentor and advisor to her many students, colleagues, and friends that will be most deeply missed.
Joyce was dedicated to helping people, especially children, as witnessed in her work at Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston as the Director of Nursing Education and Coordinator of Behavioral Health Services. She loved her work, and her colleagues and the children loved her. Even when extremely ill, she devoted herself to her work, and drew tremendous strength from it.
Joyce was a licensed RN, a Social Worker and Mental Health Counselor. She was professionally certified in the areas of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing and as a Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, and belonged to many professional nursing organizations: American Orthopsychiatry Association, National League for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau-International Honor Society for Nursing, Massachusetts Office for Children (West Suburban Council Board of Directors), Continuing Education for Nursing Advisory Council, and Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, Appointee. She also made time to volunteer at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Newton.
Prior to joining Franciscan Hospital, Joyce was the First Year Faculty Chairperson at New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Boston and Director of Family and Children’s Services at Nazareth Child Care Center in Jamaica Plain.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions are sent to Franciscan Children’s Hospital 30 Warren Street, Brighton, MA 02135 Attn: Joyce Reardon Nursing Education Fund.
Joyce’s sense of humor, kindness and warmth will be truly missed by family, her many friends, and colleagues.
Her family and friends would like to thank all of her wonderful doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, especially Dr. Lucy Paniszyn and the ICU staff at Newton Wellesley Hospital who provided such warm, personal, and exceptional care.
Funeral Mass Friday, December 7th in St. John Chrysostom Church at 11:00am. Visiting hours Thursday 4-7pm at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home 2055 Centre St. West Roxbury. Relatives and friends invited.