Joyce Tewksbury

Joyce Mary (Passafiume) Tewksbury, 80, of Boscawen, NH, born June 26, 1945 in Pittsburgh, PA, died on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Pleasant View Center in Concord, NH, after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Laura (Konop) and Peter Passafiume of Monroeville, PA, her only sibling (sister) Loretta “Lori” (Passafiume) Dawson of New Kensington, PA and grandson Michael Brooks of Frewsburg, NY.

She was survived by her husband of 25yrs, Merrill “Mel” Tewksbury of Boscawen, NH, twin sons, Frank Venturella Jr. of Franklin, NH, and Paul Venturella of San Antonio, TX, and a daughter, Jill Marsh of Frewsburg, NY., 12 grand-children, and 7 great grand-children.

After raising her children to early teens, Joyce’s compassion for the elderly, motivated her return to the workplace as a Nursing Assistant in a nursing home in Franconia, NH. After several years, she would relocate to central NH and secure positions in medical records and later as head of purchasing at the former NH Odd Fellows Home in Concord, NH, where she would later retire. No matter what “hat” Joyce wore at work, she maintained a love for all nursing home residents and their families, who ALL came to adore her.

Once retired, Joyce and her beloved Mel, would spend their days remodeling their home and beautifying their once heavily wooded lot, into an oasis of flower and vegetable gardens, bird feeders, houses and baths, for the multiple species of birds who began to flock to this inviting new environment. She possessed a natural “green thumb” for planting and became a favorite to the staff at Black Forest Nursery in Boscawen where she frequented. Her love for the birds grew exponentially and she became a notable customer at Osborne's Agway store in Concord, where she bought most of her seed.

Mel built Joyce a “she shed” to house all her yard care supplies and tools along with her bird feeders that she took in every night religiously and all the seed containers. She kept this shed meticulously organized and it was “off limits” as she was known to say.

On hot summer afternoons, she would retreat to her comfortable chair in the shade on a beautiful deck Mel had built for her, so as to continue her observations of her yard and plan out the things that should be done next. There were hummingbird feeders hanging on the overhanging roof, so even at rest, she could interact with the birds she affectionately called her “babies”.

Mel had bought Joyce a small digital camera, and once she got the hang of using it, another obsession took hold. She documented all of the projects of the home’s remodel as well as the yard, in hundreds of pictures she kept in chronological order in several photo albums. Over a dozen species of birds who returned year after year, and many who laid their eggs in one of her many houses and nests, were digitally documented as well. She could tell you what nest or house belonged to which set of birds and when the babies grew, she knew who they belonged to.

Joyce embraced the changing of the seasons in NH and the holidays that went along with them, by decorating the house and the yard with the appropriate decor inside and out. 

Her grandchildren loved coming to “Grammie’s” house to play in her yard and admire all of the animal figurines and sculptures she had placed all about the property. Her love of all of God’s creatures was evidenced by the variety of these figurines. Her and Mel would travel to see other grand kids who lived afar, and loved watching them grow, many to adulthood.

Joyce was a loyal “Steel City” sports enthusiast and proclaimed her lifelong support for beloved Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. No matter where she went, she could be found wearing a t-shirt, hat or other garment, embellishing her “Black and Gold” pride.

Joyce was loved and admired by all she made acquaintance to. Her neighbors freely came by to say hello and admire her work in the yard, as her door was always open to visitors. Mel and Joyce ate breakfast daily at Wyatts Family Restaurant in Franklin, and the owners, staff and patrons alike shall mourn her loss like family.

Joyce’s wishes were to be cremated and for no services to be held. Good memories of her flamboyant personality, genuine smile and exceptional friendship qualities, are what will remain her legacy to all who knew and loved her.