Joyce (Alexander) Ward

Joyce Alexander Ward, 93, of Morrisville, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at The Manor in Morrisville.

Joyce exemplified the ideals of a truly good person and a life well spent. She loved her family unconditionally as a wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was the truest of friends, never uttering a negative thought about anyone. She cared deeply for animals, both in her home and through charitable support.

Joyce gave to her community through her work with the telephone company and by preparing and serving lunches for a generation of Morrisville’s students. She was a member of the Morrisville Fire Department Auxiliary and volunteered at Second Chance and Copley Hospital. She embraced and enjoyed life’s simple and best pleasures. Most weekends, you could find her enjoying jokes, a glass of wine, and many hands of cards into the wee hours of the morning.

She passed on her love of cooking and good food to her family. Every birthday, holiday, or even just a Saturday was an excuse to gather the whole family to share recipes or try out new restaurants. She loved to travel—whether it was annual weeks on Shadow Lake, weekends in Old Orchard Beach, or whole family trips to Disney World.

Nothing was as important to Joyce as home and family. She was born on March 3, 1931, to Sam and Avis (Smith) Alexander of Morristown. She grew up on one end of Ward’s Pond on Randolph Road with her older brother, Richard, and younger sister, Carole. She attended Peoples Academy. In July of 1948, she married Malcolm Ward, who grew up on the other end of Ward’s Pond. They bought a house across the road from that same pond and settled down to raise their family.

Walter, William, and Deborah arrived in quick succession, followed by a 19-year gap before Jennifer joined the family. Over time, the family grew and expanded:

Walter Ward and his wife, Mary (LaClair), of Lake Elmore; granddaughter Sarah Callahan (James) and great-grandsons Seamus and Aaron Callahan.

William Ward and his wife, Sally (Bridge), of Hyde Park; granddaughters Amy Tetreault (Andre) and Claire Eaton (Arthur); great-grandchildren Brianna Ward, Bianca Hill, Mariah Avis, Morgan, and Cole Putvain; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Debbie Wells and her husband, John, of Wolcott; grandchildren Eli and Emily Wells.

Jennifer Ward and her husband, Trevor Putvain, of Wolcott; grandchildren Mallorie, Ethan, and Ewan Putvain.

She is also survived by her loving sister, Carole Deuso, and her husband, Alan, of Morrisville; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Alexander, and his wife, Pauline Young.

A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 10:00am in Pleasant View Cemetery, Morrisville. Please feel free to share messages and memories online at holcomb-desgroselliers.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce's memory may be made to:

North Country Animal League, 16 Mountain View Meadow Road, Morrisville, VT 05661 or Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morristown, VT 05661

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