Joyce Avis (Mello) Murphy

Joyce Avis (Mello) Murphy, age 88, of Tyngsboro MA gained her angel wings on August 5, 2024, at Premier Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, after a 5 month battle with heart failure and vascular dementia. She passed peacefully in her sleep after a full day of her family surrounding her. She was born on February 11, 1936, in Lowell MA to John Mello and Avis (Johnson) Mello. Joyce grew up on Blossom Street in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School Class of 1953. 

 Joyce had a wonderful 73 years of love and happiness with her high school sweetheart, Jack Murphy. They married at Sacred Heart Church on May 18, 1957, and shared 67 years of wedded bliss. They resided in Chelmsford MA for many years, Beverly MA, and Laconia NH before moving to Tyngsboro 13 years ago.

 Joyce was blessed with 3 children, Sharon Selfridge (Mark) of Hudson NH, Gayle Irwin of Milford NH, and Brian Murphy (Catherine) of Salem NH. Her pride and joy were her 7 grandchildren, Scott Selfridge, Jenna Selfridge, Alan Irwin, Jessica Junget, Tatum Murphy, Bridget Murphy, Kahlen Murphy; and 2 great – grandchildren, Ayden Irwin and Juliette Junget. She enjoyed being a part of their lives and showered them with gifts for every occasion. 

 She was the oldest of 5 siblings. She is survived by her little sisters Donna Drew (Don) of Westford MA, and Cynthia Martin (Bobby) of Lunenburg MA, sisters in-law Nancy Mello of Nashua, and Veronica Mello of Naples ME, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers Roger Mello and Ronald Mello, her brother and sister in-law Jim and Eleanor Murphy, and sister in-law Mary (Murphy) Kenny RN. 

 Joyce and Jack took early retirement from Raytheon Company at age 56. Joyce was a Compensation Secretary in the South Lowell plant for many years, and Jack was an Engineer in South Lowell, Waltham and Sudbury. They enjoyed traveling in their motorhome all over the NH and ME seacoast and spent many summers camping at Adams Campground in Seabrook NH. They headed south after Thanksgiving as winter snowbirds for 17 years at Imperial Wilderness RV Resort in Naples FL. They made many friends along the way.

 Joyce was a great cook and kept her family well fed with our favorite recipe of cheese potatoes at every holiday. Her stuffed peppers and lasagna were delicious. She was a kind and loving soul, who touched the lives of so many people. She had lifelong close friends - Betty McCarthy, Shirley Lombard, Sylvia Allard, Gen Otte, Jean Gallagher and Gerry Hamel. Their friendships were a highlight of her life.

 Our family would like to thank the amazing nursing staff at Premier Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Nashua for providing her with excellent care in the last months of her life. She was a challenge at times, calling the police occasionally to take her home and managed to get onto the facility's PA system. We would especially like to thank the SCU Nurse Director, Laura, for her dedication to the residents, and nurses Tony (her favorite), Michelle, Peris and Sharon, who were at her bedside when she passed after midnight, and Father Ray for administering Last Rights late on a Sunday night.

 Joyce requested that there be no funeral or calling hours. A Celebration of Life will take place sometime this fall. She is resting peacefully in Heaven and reunited with all who passed before her.