Joyce Carol (Dalton) Gerarde, 88, known affectionately as Mum by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, peacefully passed away on Monday, July 15, 2019 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 7, 1931 in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Mary (O’Meara) Dalton and Raymond L. Dalton. Joyce attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy and Hartford Secretarial School. She was a proud Wethersfield resident for 55 years, and she worked for 32 years as a secretary and registrar in the Guidance Department of Wethersfield High School. She treasured her connection to generations of students and valued associates, many of whom became lifelong friends. She always considered education a noble pursuit, and she was grateful to have worked in such a dynamic environment for so many years. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia Greenblatt and husband Howard of Wethersfield, her daughter Joy Sperry of Quincy, Massachusetts, and her son Thomas Gerarde and wife Patricia of Wethersfield. She was devoted to her nine grandchildren: Dean Greenblatt and partner Kristen Lewandowski, Marcia Lesser and husband Christopher, Ralph Sperry and fiancé Grace Barton, Jillian Sperry, Jeffrey Gerarde and wife Heidi, Kevin Gerarde, Eric Gerarde, Matthew Gerarde, and Christopher Gerarde. Joyce also felt blessed by the presence of three great grandchildren in her life: Zachary Lesser, Alexandra Lesser, and Jayden Gerarde.
Mum loved her family, her friends, and her faith. She enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: tending to her plants on her back porch, watching the birds, conversing with friends, and following the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team. Mum had a contagious optimism, a love of meeting new people, and the ability to find something special in everyone.
Friends may call Thursday, July 18, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Joyce’s life will be held Friday July 19, 2019 at 10:00 am in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The Wethersfield Education Foundation, c/o Jeff Kotkin, 28 Farms Village Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1422. To extend condolences, or for further information, please visit Farleysullivan.com.