BELFAST — Joyce Cole Dow, 89, passed away in Belfast, Maine on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Born April 19, 1931 in Portland, Maine, she was currently residing at Harbor Hill Center in Belfast.

She is predeceased by her parents, William R. Cole (February 3, 1964) and Thelma S. (Davis) Cole (August 20, 1999), by her husband, Harrison E. Dow (January 13, 1994), and by her daughter, Elisabeth A. Dow (June 1, 2000).

She is survived by her children, Brian D. Dow and his wife, Connie of Perkasie, Pennsylvania; David H. Dow and his wife, Sue of Jonestown, Pennsylvania; Geoffrey R. Dow and his wife, Noreen of Rockland, Maine; Lorraine S. (Dow) Pugh and her husband, Rob of Gardners, Pennsylvania, and Jonathan C. Dow and his wife, Pam of Hendersonville, Tennessee.

In addition to her brother, Wayne R. Cole and his wife, Genie of Walpole, Maine, Joyce is survived by seven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Affectionately known as “Jo” and “JoJo”, Joyce’s life verse was, “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2 NKJV). That passion was lived out through a lifetime of serving God and serving others. Her strength and her song were voiced through almost 40 years of choral directing first at Fairless Hills United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania and then in nearby First Baptist Church in Newtown.

After her return to Maine, she became choir director at Liberty Baptist Church from where she eventually retired. A gifted singer herself, Joyce is frequently remembered for her Christmas Eve tradition of singing, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” a cappella from the back of the sanctuary.

Her service to others was also reflected in her almost 20-year employment as a medical receptionist with the Easter Seal Society of Bucks County where her administrative gifting and deep compassion stabilized the organization through significant transition and growth. Behind the scenes of her public service were countless sacrificial acts of generosity, kindness, encouragement, mercy, and hospitality.

Joyce’s life will be honored in a private viewing and private graveside funeral under the care of Hall Funeral Home in Waldoboro, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of condolence may be made by financial contributions in her name to Liberty Baptist Church, Liberty, Maine.