Joyce Marie (Goes) Taylor, 68, of New Bedford, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. She was the long-time companion of Peter Roda.
Born in New Bedford, daughter of Dolores (Soares) Goes of New Bedford and the late Joseph (Joe) Goes, she lived in the New Bedford area all of her life.
Joyce was a loving mother who raised nine children and whose life revolved around her family. She was imaginative, generous, thoughtful, and loyal. She enjoyed decorating her home and working on creative projects. She would give the shirt off her back to a stranger and would jump at the chance to help anyone who needed her. Her wealth of knowledge was a constant comfort for her family.
She enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and shopping. She treasured her frequent shopping trips to Trucchi’s and Christmas Tree Shop especially when accompanied by a loved one.
Joyce was a woman of great faith who taught her children to trust, seek, and rely on God and the power of prayer. She treasured her home and the sunsets on Sassaquin pond where she threw annual 4th of July parties and cherished the gathering of her family.
In addition to her mother and boyfriend, she is survived by her children: Amy Reid and husband Joseph of Florida, Angela Martin and her late husband Shane Martin of Dartmouth, Rev. Andrew Savaria and his wife Susan of Valley Falls, Kansas, Adam Taylor and his longtime companion Jessica Carvalho of Acushnet, Aleesha Freire and her husband Daniel of East Freetown, Ashley Taylor and her boyfriend Scott Ferreira of Taunton, Amber Taylor of New Bedford, Austin Taylor and his fiancée Carissa Martins of Assonet, and Aaron Taylor of New Bedford; her siblings: Linda Gifford and her husband Darryl of Rochester, and Gordon Goes of Killington, VT; her grandchildren Dustin Knapp, Hallie Grace Martin, Christian Martin, Olivia Savaria, Asher Savaria, Jessalyn Carvalho, Jenna Fleming, Sophia Joy Taylor, Adam Taylor, Jr., Noah Taylor, Daniel A. Freire, Emily A. Freire and Ezra Joy Freire; her nephews Douglas Gifford and Joseph G. Goes and her niece Katie Gifford.
She is preceded in death by her father, her three children who passed before birth, whom she always looked forward to meeting in heaven, and a grandson Jaydon Martin.
Her funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shane Eric Martin Foundation, dedicated to providing scholarships to students.
“Let Your Light Shine Before Men…” Matthew 5:16
Checks can be made payable to:
Shane Eric Martin Foundation
38 Medeiros Lane
North Dartmouth, MA