Joyce D. Phinney

Seabrook Beach - Joyce Demers Phinney, 93, of Seabrook Beach, NH, passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2025, after a brief illness. She was born in Lawrence, MA, in 1931, daughter of Walter V. and Margaret (Hegarty) Demers. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Amy Dittrich and her husband Timmy of Swampscott, MA, and their sons, Tyler Dittrich (Katie) and Dylan Dittrich (Marissa) both of Marblehead, MA. Son, Walter Rogers and his wife Debbie of Rye, NH, and their children, Sarah Snow (Doug) of Amesbury, MA, Emerson Rogers (Robin) of Marblehead, MA, Alexandra O’Sullivan (Jerry) of Dover, NH, and Hannah Rogers of Boston, MA, along with six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Allan B. Rogers whom she married in 1953 until his untimely death in 1962, her sons, Allan J. Rogers and Allan B. Rogers, Jr. and her brother, Walter V. Demers, Jr. and second husband, Robert W. Phinney. She also leaves her devoted and loving caregivers Jannie Nabukenya and Joyce Nansamba of Danvers Upon graduation from Bradford College in Haverhill, MA, in 1950, Joyce began working for her beloved father, Walter, at the Demers Plate Glass Company. She served on the board of the Lawrence YWCA and Big Brother Big Sister and was a communicant for Saint Augustine’s Church in Andover, MA, and Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Seabrook Beach, NH. Joyce was a longtime member of Abenaqui Country Club. As an avid golfer, her four holes-in-one provided prideful banter, particularly with the male competitors of the family. A devoted mother, wife, nana, aunt and friend, Joyce was quick with a smile and a welcoming home. She was always delighted to engage in conversation and laughter not only with her children and grandchildren, but their many cousins and friends as well, leading to numerous unique and generational relationships that reflected her warm and eﬀortless nature. A child of barefoot beach summers as a result of her parents' cottage in Hampton, NH, the salt air and water never receded after those dreaded Labor Day drives home to the Merrimack Valley. They simply lingered until the faraway springtimes would once again stir Joyce’s unconditional love of the beach and all it encompassed. An eventual year round resident of Seabrook Beach, ironically it was winter Joyce enjoyed most along the shore as it happily reminded her that Labor Day was just another day at the beach and not the end of summer. In these recent years, Joyce’s most consistent interest was centered around her great-grandchildren, always inquiring as to what the babies were doing each day. A genuine and prideful love for a family generation far removed from her own, yet as near to her as anyone or anything. A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Elizabeth’s Church in Seabrook Beach, NH, on June 20th at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Theresa’s Church in Rye Beach, NH.

Joyce D. Phinney

November 13, 1931 - June 14, 2025