Joyce H. (Morrell) McGuinness, aged 75, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Worcester on May 21, 1947 to Louis and Helen Morrell, and lived in Rutland for almost her entire adult life.

Joyce was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, James E. McGuinness, a son, and a daughter, Jody L. McGuinness and her children Philip and Kayla Dombrowski, all of Worcester, who were the light of Joyce’s life.

Joyce graduated from Commerce High School in Worcester in 1965. She worked at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette as a legal clerk starting in 1964, and married the love of her life, Jim, in 1966. They moved to Rutland together in 1970 and raised their family there. In 1972, she began working as a secretary in the Law Offices of John Romano in Worcester. Joyce was also a committed public servant, having been the Rutland town assessor for twenty-five years, from 1984 until her retirement in 2009. She enjoyed befriending and serving the people in her community. Joyce also operated a travel agency, Premier Travel for many years.

After her and Jim’s retirement, Joyce and Jim loved to travel. Most often, Joyce and Jim would travel across the Northeast United States in their antique Chevrolet, making many new friends, and were always sure to make it to their favorite destinations at Lake George, New York and Burlington, Vermont. When she was not traveling, Joyce could always be found tending to her beautiful gardens in the Spring and Summer or baking and cooking with her grandchildren in the Fall and Winter.

Friends and family are invited to calling hours from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, September 30th, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service honoring her life will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 1st, at the funeral home, with burial following at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Second Chance Animal Services, P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515.