Joyce Ann (Gilbert) Sawyer, 81, of Port Saint Lucie , Florida and formerly of Madison, Maine, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2016 at Forest Lake assisted living in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Joyce was born on October 18, 1934 in Madison, the daughter of Arthur and Alice (Foss) Gilbert. She attended the local schools and was a graduate of Madison High School.

Joyce was an adventurous person. In her early years she lived and worked as a high end waitress in Miami, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. In her career as a waitress she served several famous people, including members of the Kennedy Family. She moved back to Madison and worked as a paper tester for Madison Paper Industries, graduated from Beal College and finally worked as an accountant for Christopher Wholesalers, where she eventually retired.

She always looked forward to hosting family gatherings and took such pride in the delicious meals she prepared and the thoughtful gifts she gave.  Joyce loved flower gardening and took special care in keeping her yard flawless. She also enjoyed going to the beach, making crafts and ceramics, traveling, spending time with friends, and dancing the Jitterbug with her brother, Richard. 

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Lake Forest Park in Ft. Pierce, Florida for their care, comfort, and support over the last two and a half years, making the end of Joyce’s life very peaceful.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband, the love of her life,  Donald Sawyer, both of her parents, her brother, Richard Gilbert, as well as his wife Nancy, and her very dear lifelong friend, Barbara Wilkinson Cody. 

She leaves behind her children, Karen Griffin and her significant other Bob Bassett of Greenfield, Massachusetts, Kathy Falbo of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Michael Whalen and his wife Kelly of Madison, and Kelley Belanger and her husband Randy, also of Madison.

Joyce is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Kerri Griffin, Kevin Griffin, Kara Williams, Kristi Morrison, Tara Peters, Kayla Belanger, Zachary Belanger, Erin Whalen, and Sean Whalen, eight great-grandchildren, a sister, Noreen Murray and her husband Doug of Madison, and several nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 25, 2016 at 10:00 AM at St. Sebastian Church, Main Street in Madison. Burial will follow in St. Sebastian Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home, Madison.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation, 1201 SE Indian St. Stuart, FL 34997