CHARLTON – Joyce Carolyn (Hargreaves) Wilson, 96, of Charlton, formerly of Auburn, died surrounded by her loving family on Friday, March 22, 2024.

Her beloved husband of 57 years, Lester J. Wilson died in 2006.

Joyce leaves her son, David Wilson and his wife Ellen; four daughters, Linda Vasas, Phyllis Orrell, Lori Stearns and her husband Edward, Shelley Brooks and her husband Jonathan, all of Charlton; her brother William Hargreaves and sister Judith Watson, sister-in-law Marge Hargreaves; eleven grandchildren, Sean and Vicki Vasas, Elyssa and Christopher Wood, Michael and Nicole Orrell, Gregory and Laura Orrell, Kate and Jonathan Wolf, Edward Stearns, Kimberly and Seth Steinman, Elizabeth and Danielle Brooks, Nicole Stearns, Kirsten Orrell and Jonathan Brooks; nine great grandchildren, Avery and Cooper Wood, Jack, Brayden, Henry and Kallie Orrell, Finn and Winnie Wolf, Wilson Steinman; and  many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her brother Donald Hargreaves and son-in-law Roger E. Vasas.

Joyce was born in Norwich, CT the daughter of the late Frank and Meliss (Shaw) Hargreaves. She grew up in Norwich and attended Norwich Free Academy graduating in 1945. She enlisted in the US Cadet Nurse Corp graduating from William W. Backus Hospital School of Nursing in 1948.

After marrying her high school sweetheart, Lester, in Norwich, CT, they settled in Auburn where they established and operated Wilson's Flower Shop in 1952.  She also established a children's clothing store, The Fawn Shoppe.

Joyce worked at Worcester Memorial Hospital in surgery and the emergency ward. She was Nursing Supervisor at Lincoln Nursing Home and Knollwood Nursing Home for 10 years, retiring in 1982.  She was President of Rotary Anns, Chairman of Whispering Sands Condominium Social Committee and Chairman of the board of Christian Education of Auburn First Congregational Church.

Joyce spent summers on South Charlton Reservoir since 1952 enjoying her many friends and family around the lake.  In 1972, the family moved to Charlton, and spent winters in Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida.  She moved to The Overlook Independent Living Community in 2011, and spent her last four years with her daughter Linda Vasas and husband Roger who unselfishly opened their home and hearts, giving the best care with the assistance of siblings.

Joyce loved her family most of all. Being the eldest of four children, she grew up acquiring her motherly instinct and nursing care.  She loved and adored her children, grandchildren, their spouses, and great grandchildren and always appreciated their visits.  She made everyone feel so special with her kind, thoughtful, caring ways.  She never stopped worrying about others, had a positive attitude and always made friends everywhere she went.  Her favorite saying was "I am truly blessed!" We are all blessed to have known this truly remarkable woman.

The family would like to thank Kelsey and the staff at Care Central VNA and Hospice for their caring, compassionate and professional care.

Her funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 28th, at 11:00am in the Federated Church of Charlton, 64 Main St., Charlton.  A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 28th, at 2:00pm, in West Ridge Cemetery, Charlton.  Calling hours in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, will be held on Wednesday, March 27th, from 4:00 to 6:00pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Shriners Children's Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215