Joyce L. Gagnon, 87, of Woolwich, passed away on the morning of May 24, 2024 with her loving husband and daughter by her side. Born in Bennington, Vt. on Nov. 30, 1936, she was the daughter of Clarence and Florence (Rice) Foster.
Joyce grew up in North Bennington, Vt., where she attended local schools there. After completing school, she moved to Connecticut where she would go on to marry Ralph J. Gagnon Jr. in 1956. While living in Connecticut, Joyce worked in a factory before she and Ralph moved up and down the eastern seaboard.
They came to Maine, and after moving throughout the state, eventually settled in Woolwich in 1963, where she and Ralph would build their own home in 1966. They opened Gi-Yan Boarding Kennel at their residence in Woolwich in the late 1960s, and continued to operate it there for over 40 years. At the same time, she and Ralph operated the Lincoln County Animal Shelter for several years, and Joyce worked as the animal control officer for both Woolwich and Wiscasset.
When not working, Joyce was still surrounded by animals. She bred and raised German shepherds (many of which she showed), enjoyed her many horses throughout the years, and was a member of the Dirigo Horse & Pony Club and The Maine Trail Riders Association. Buzz was her favorite horse! She also raised/showed goats for several years. Later in life she was a rescuer of many dog breeds, mostly Shih Tzus; and her last three were Mini Pins named Missy, Boo-boo, and Hay-Lee. Animals were her world and she loved them with all of her heart.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by three sisters, Beulah Oatman, Clara Bevis, and Jean Browe; as well as twin brothers, Hank and Frank, who died at birth.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Ralph Gagnon Jr., of Woolwich; daughter, Germaine Gagnon Waltz and her husband, Rodney, of Jefferson; sister, Ruth West, of New York; two grandsons, Correy Smith and his wife, Dyani, from Windsor, and Matthew Smith and his significant other, Melody Davis, from Washington; 10 great-grandchildren; and special neighbors, Eleanor Grover and Tammy/Don Doughty; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass for Joyce will be celebrated at 10 a.m., on Friday, June 14 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Newcastle. A reception will follow the service at the American Legion Hall, 527 Main St. in Damariscotta, until 3 p.m. She will be laid to rest at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting stronghancock.com.
