BOWDOINHAM — Doris M. (Bryant) Joyce, 97, died July 20 surrounded by loved ones at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Frederick Davis.

Born in Livermore, May 14, 1913, she was a daughter of Daniel and Alice (Cummings) Bryant.

In 1936, she graduated from the Eastern Nazarene College Academy in Wollaston, Mass., and attended Eastern Nazarene College.

Many years later she returned to school, earning her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maine in June 1970.

On Dec. 2, 1938, she married the Rev. Harland C. Joyce of Winthrop, Mass.. They raised five children and were married for more than 46 years until his death in 1985.

In 1955 they moved to Bowdoinham where she operated Joyce Kindergarten for five years while caring for her youngest son, John Joyce.

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She was then hired to teach at the Coombs Elementary School in Bowdoinham and later at Bowdoin Central Elementary School, retiring in 1977 after teaching for 16 years.

Her great love of children and teaching was exemplified by how softly she spoke to each grandchild and great-grandchild, holding their hands and speaking words of wisdom.

Alongside her husband, she dutifully served the Churches of the Nazarene in Franklin, Mass.,  Richmond, and lastly, in Bowdoinham for more than 45 years as a pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher and missionary president.

Throughout the years, she helped design and build over 30 award-winning church and kindergarten floats for the Bowdoinham parade.

She and her husband also established the Richmond Nazarene Campground, a Christian summer camp and church revival meetingplace.

In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, painting, cooking, reading and spending time with her family.

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A  devoted pastor’s wife and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be greatly missed.

For many years, she was cared for by her son, Dan Joyce and his wife Kathy;  her son, John Joyce; and by her daughter, Marilyn and her husband, Fred Davis.

She is survived by her five children and their families, Richard Joyce of Wilmington, Vt., and his children Benjamin Joyce and wife, Sieglinde; Kevin Joyce and wife, Mary, and Naricha Savanorke-Joyce; The Rev. Daniel Joyce and his wife Kathleen of Bowdoinham, and their son, Darren Joyce and wife, Ruth; Marilyn Davis and her husband, Frederick Davis of Turner, and their children, Laura Davis and husband, Peter Rinck, Frederick Davis, Jr. and fiancé, Karen Hathaway, Jennifer Davis, Jeremiah Davis and fiancé, Vivian Briggs and Isaiah Davis; Carolyn Morse and her husband, Wayne Morse of Quincy, Mass., and their children, Alisa (Morse) Fisher and husband, Reverend Donn Fisher and Alan Morse and wife Erin; and John Joyce of Bowdoinham; 21 great-grandchildren; two nieces, Gale Durin and Elaine Bryant, and a nephew, Gordon Joyce; several cousins; Judith Morse of Bowdoinham, whom she lovingly referred to as her other daughter; and her best friend of 85 years, Geraldine Haley of Cliftondale, Mass.

She was predeceased by her husband, a brother, Paul Bryant, two nieces and two nephews.

The family would like to send heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Hospice House, and for family friends, Barbara, Cindy and Pat who helped provide exceptional in-home care over the last several years.

Memorial services were held last week.

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Arrangements are by Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, 7 School St., Bowdoinham, ME 04008, or to the Androscoggin Hospice House, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210.

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