Joyce Evans Barry

Joyce Evans Barry, 93, a native of Saugus, Massachusetts, and longtime resident of both Saugus, MA, and Keene, NH, died peacefully at Cornerstone at Hampton, Hampton NH on October 13, 2023. She was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on April 12, 1930, the eldest child of the late Horace G. Cook and Evalyn (Downie) Cook. She was raised in Saugus, MA where she attended school and graduated from Saugus High School in 1948. She went on to the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a degree in Occupational Therapy in 1952. At the University of New Hampshire, she was an active member of Alpha Xi Delta, and also served as Vice President of the Student Senate. During a college summer break she met her husband, the late Richard Jonathan Evans, also a Saugus native, and to whom she was married for 43 years. A first date for ice cream at “Doane’s” on Swampscott Beach led to many more, and they later married in 1951. They went on to have five children, and raised them in Saugus. She was a loving mother and dedicated homemaker, a wonderful cook, and generous hostess opening her home to family and friends for holidays, clubs, and gatherings of many kinds well into her 80’s. She was a classically trained pianist, and a talented artist who created countless beautiful works in oils and pastels. She was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, an avid reader, and lifelong learner. Once an empty nester, Joyce returned to working part-time as an art framer for the Yankee Doodler shop in Marblehead, MA. She later studied at Youville Hospital in Cambridge, MA where she earned her LPN and went to work nights at Salem Hospital in Massachusetts. She was active in the Saugus League of Women Voters, serving as President. Joyce was a lifelong church member serving as President of the Women’s Society of Christian Service at the Cliftondale United Methodist Church in Saugus, and later serving as President of Women’s Fellowship at the United Church of Christ in Keene, NH where she moved to in 1995. There she married the late James McKee Barry in 2003. Joyce enjoyed life and many new friends throughout her 27 years in Keene where she continued with her civic, creative, and work interests, and where she was an active member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization known as PEO. Joyce loved her “camp” in Moultonborough, NH. Built in 1947 by her father when she was just 17 years-old, Joyce enjoyed many summers there with her parents, her family, and friends on Lake Winnipesaukee where she so loved to be. Joyce was a wonderful mother who loved her family, and delighted in the birth of every grandchild. Always welcoming, warm, and generous to family and friends, she is remembered with so much love for all she gave. Joyce is survived by her children, Carole Sands and her husband Gary of Keene, Susan Burkley and her husband Michael of Pittsburgh, PA, Liane Gigis and her husband Paul of Portsmouth, Melissa Voteur and her husband James of Brentwood, Jonathan Evans and his significant other Jana Christopher of Keene; grandchildren Christopher Martin, Benjamin Burkley, Elizabeth Crafton, Alyssa Sands-Talabi, Evan Sands, Hannah Voteur, Justin Gigis, Christian Voteur, and Josephine Evans; great-grandchildren Charlotte, Lydia, Burkley, Annah, and Charlie; brother in-law Alwin Evans and his wife Judith of Georgetown, MA; sister Janice Driver and her husband Cecil of Moultonborough, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her first and second husbands, she was pre-deceased by her grandson Jason Gigis. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Friday, October 27, 2023 in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home – Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Services will be held at 11 AM in the funeral home on Saturday, October 28, 2023 with a portion of the cremains being buried at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Peabody, MA immediately following. A subsequent burial of the cremains will take place at 11 AM on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at The Monadnock View Cemetery in Keene with a reception following from 12-2 PM at UCC of Keene, 23 Central Square, Keene, NH 03431. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by clicking here or by mail to 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.

Joyce Evans Barry

April 12, 1930 - October 13, 2023