Joyce (Jolly) Frigon, 90, passed away peacefully on June 1st at Knollwood Nursing
Home, Worcester. Joyce was born on June 6th, 1933 to the late Florence and William Jolly. As a
lifelong resident of Spencer, Massachusetts, Joyce spent many happy years with her husband
Donat (Bob) Frigon, surrounded by their five children in a full house that was always bursting
with activity.
Joyce is predeceased by her loving husband, Donat (Bob) Frigon, her parents, her
younger brother William (Billy) Frigon, and her granddaughter, Jessica Cole. She leaves behind
five children: Beverly Smith and her husband Thomas Smith of Spencer; Robert Frigon and his
wife Shari of Leicester; Deborah Silliman and her husband Glen of East Brookfield; Susan
Lydick and her husband Dennis of Spencer; and Mary Wyne and her boyfriend Robert Del
Conte of Spencer. Joyce also leaves behind ten grandchildren: Jennifer Farrell and her husband
Kevin, Shari Martelli, Thomas Smith and his wife Gina, Nicole Frigon-Rogers, Chad Frigon and
his wife Michelle, Heather Gablaski and her husband Edward, Tracy LoVerme and her husband
Jason, Lisa Villalobos and her husband Jorge, Anthony Cole, and Laura Wyne. Fifteen
great-grandchildren were also blessed to have called Joyce their great-grandmother.
More than anything else, Joyce enjoyed spending time with her family, reading Amish
fiction, and cheering on the Red Sox (often while simultaneously berating the Yankees). Joyce
lived unapologetically and loved unconditionally. She was known for her spitfire personality, her
strength of spirit, and her fierce love for her family. For many years her house was a meeting
place for aunts, uncles, cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home was one full
of laughter and joy, her cabinets always stocked with devil dogs for the kids.
Joyce spent her life as a caretaker, raising five children and later working for many years
at nursing homes such as Clark Manor in Worcester and Lincoln Hill Manor in Spencer. Her love
of caring for others continued past her retirement, as she acted as caretaker for her many
great-grandchildren. Joyce had a very special relationship with her granddaughter, Laura Wyne,
of Spencer, and her great-granddaughter, Jordan Gablaski, of East Brookfield, both of whom
had the privilege of spending many years with their grandmother before and after school, and
during vacations. Joyce will be remembered as a devoted grandmother; always standing up for
her grandchildren, always a gentle hand to hold, a warm hug to rely on. As the matriarch to a
large, close family, Joyce was, and remains, the glue that will hold so many people together.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Knollwood Nursing home and their
team of caretakers. They would also like to thank the Jewish Home Hospice, which gave extra
care to Joyce in her final months.
Joyce will be missed by many, though all who knew her rejoice that she is now with God,
and in the company of her husband, parents, and brother. Those who remain will cherish the
memories of their years spent with Joyce and find comfort in celebrating her remarkable life.
The funeral will be held Wednesday, June 5 from the J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME,
23 Maple Terr., Spencer with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 Church St.,
Spencer. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. A calling hour will precede
the Mass from 8:30-9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Jewish Healthcare
Hospice, 629 Salisbury St., Worcester, MA 01609.
