BURKETVILLE — Joyce Elaine Cressler, passed away in Rockport, on Friday, January 13, 2023, at the age of 91.

She was blessed to live the last 20 years of her life with her daughter at her farm in Burketville, until her passing after a brief stay at The Sussman House.

Born Joyce Elaine Fouche in Holbrook, Massachusetts, on July 8, 1931, she was one of three children of Pauline and Justin Fouche. Joyce attended Thayer Academy, where she enjoyed her schooling and participated in chorus. It was at Thayer that Joyce met her future husband, Richard Cressler. They married in 1949 and had five children: Curtis, Bonnie, Lorraine, Peter, and Daniel. As a young mother, Joyce loved music and teaching piano, baking, collecting antiques, enjoying nature, dancing and being involved in Girl Scouts.

Joyce was very close to her mother and they were both devout Christian Scientists. She became a Christian Science nurse at the Benevolent Association (BA) in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, working there for over 20 years. After leaving BA, she continued to be very passionate about helping people through her faith.

After retiring, Joyce moved to Appleton, to live with her youngest daughter, Lori, on her family farm. She adored her home and space here, staying involved with her granddaughters’ respected activities of basketball and horseback riding. Joyce loved attending her granddaughter Meg’s basketball games throughout high school and college and keeping up with her granddaughter Matia’s horse shenanigans.

Joyce was an active member of her local church in Camden, attending every Sunday dressed to her best, and truly loved her church family. Her other true passion was gardening. Joyce loved spending hours making them beautiful, weeding and puttering around. She filled them with peonies, lilies, roses, and many perennials. Joyce sold bouquets and was very proud to be on the Georges River Land Trust garden tour. She continued to enjoy baking, making cakes for birthdays and special occasions, knitting, sewing, and being a homemaker.

Joyce was predeceased by her infant son, Peter. Surviving are her other four children; four granddaughters, Megan Cressler, Matia Cressler-Dow, Danielle Duenas, Sarah Marshall, and one beloved great-granddaughter, Isla Faylene Hannibal.

There will be no service, per Joyce’s wishes.

Condolences may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.