Joyce M. Niemi, 84
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Joyce M. (Siegfried) Niemi, age 84, a lifelong resident of Mansfield, passed away in the presence of her family on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro. She was the wife of the late Robert F. Niemi, to whom she was wed for fifty-three years at the time of his death on October 30, 2010.
Born in Attleboro, MA on April 18, 1933, she was a daughter of the William L. Siegfried and Dorothy L. (Strese) York.
Joyce grew up in Mansfield, was a 1951 graduate of Mansfield High School and had attended Arcadia University in Pennsylvania. After marrying Bob and starting her family, she returned to school and in 1968 graduated from Bridgewater State College with a Bachelors degree in Education.
In 1969, Mrs. Niemi began her career as an English Teacher at Mansfield High School. In 1995 she retired after teaching for twenty-six years in Room 207, where she was well liked and respected by her peers and the students she taught.
Joyce attended both the Mansfield United Methodist Church and the Mansfield Congregational Church. Her other community involvements included being a former member of Operation Friendship.
Mrs. Niemi was also a talented seamstress, loved gardening and especially enjoyed attending her grandsons sporting events. She will always be remembered for the special place in her heart and the kindness she bestowed towards animals.
She is survived by her devoted daughters Liisa E. Niemi of Mansfield, and Karen M. Wright and her husband Jack of Mansfield. She was the proud grandmother of Thomas A. Bregnard, William E. Bregnard, Charles R. Bregnard, Richard J. Erikson and Oliver H. Erickson all of Mansfield. She was the sister of William L. Siegfried of Texas, and Charles E. York, Christine E. Zaniboni and Bradford E. York all of Mansfield, and is also survived by several nieces, and nephews, and her beloved dog “Muttley”.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a service in celebration of her life on Thursday, April 19th at 11:00 A.M. in the Mansfield Congregational Church, 17 West St., Mansfield. Burial will be private
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, April 18th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, Joyce’s family has requested that donations in her memory be made to the Mansfield Animal Shelter Friends, P.O. Box 25, Mansfield, MA 02048
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com