Joan M. Joy

Joan Mersereau Joy, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior May 7th. She was at home with family by her side as she passed. Joan was born the youngest of three daughters to Richard Alexander Mersereau and Florence Martha Stinneford Mersereau in Hackensack, New Jersey, on February 23, 1939. She is a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, and friend. Joan lived in many different states over the years, as both her father and husband had careers in retail and were frequently transferred. She was very happy to have settled in North Carolina and to call the Raleigh area home for the last 25 years. She was a long-time member of Hollands United Methodist Church. Joan had a variety of interests including crocheting, crafting, and ceramics, and she took great joy in anything vibrantly colorful—especially flowers and gems. She enjoyed spending time near the water whenever she could, whether it was ocean, lake, or pool. During her career, she worked alongside her husband to manage a store they co-owned in Virginia and served as admissions director at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Indiana. But her greatest love was being a mother and grandmother and taking care of her family. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 41 years, Richard Lee Joy; and her sister Ann Safier. She is survived by her sister, Gladys Mitchell, of New Jersey; daughter Constance Ann Joy Broich and husband Dave of Raleigh; daughter Judith Dianne Joy Gossett and husband Jeff of Willow Spring; granddaughter Caroline Gossett Gribbon and husband Nick of Clayton; and granddaughter Julia Grace Gossett Shepard and husband Jackson, of Garner. The family extends a very special thank you to the wonderfully caring staff at Transitions LifeCare.