Joyce Johns Obituary

Joyce M. Johns
Joyce M. Johns was born on April 29, 1932, to Arthur and Mildred VanDerMaelen (Garrett), the youngest of their four children. She grew up in New Haven and attended Hillhouse High School, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Harvey Peter Johns. Joyce worked for many years as a bookkeeper for the Workforce Alliance until her retirement in 2007. Although she worked outside the home, her primary job was as a mother and grandmother, a job that she loved and which she excelled at. Many an afternoon was spent at a Little League game, gymnastics meet or football game. But Sunday nights were devoted to the weekly poker game. Joyce was predeceased by her beloved husband, Harvey, their daughter, Cynthia Johns Middlebrooks, and their grandson, Justin Mills. She was also predeceased by her brothers, John VanDerMaelen, Robert VanDerMaelen and Arthur VanDerMaelen Jr. She leaves behind her four children who adored her, Susan Johns, William Johns (Mary), Catherine Colonese and Garrett Johns, along with her five grandchildren, Paris Russell, Courtney Colonese, Nicholas Colonese IV, Dana Colonese and Darren Middlebrooks. She is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews. Calling hours are Tuesday from 4 – 7 p.m. at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow the Mass at the New Haven Country Club, 160 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.siskbrothers.com