Joyce Nadine Gerrish

Joyce N. Gerrish of Depot Road, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on March 7, 2023 just 4 days shy of her 95th birthday.

She was born March 11, 1928 in Rochester, NH, daughter of Wallace and Eunice (Cohen) Chase.. Though born in Rochester, she spent her teenage years in Hartford, CT during WWII.  She moved to Maine shortly after graduating high school where she met her future husband while playing a pickup game of baseball.

She and husband Theodore “Bucky”  Gerrish operated an exotic bird farm for a number of years, receiving hundreds of guest who came to view various  bird species, including peacocks, pheasants and quail.  Her first love was family but her second love was watching wild birds and gardening.  For many years Joyce conducted bird counts for the National Audubon Society.  Her love for bird watching rubbed off on most of her family members who continue to watch today.  

Joyce was also an avid sports fan who greatly enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots.

Joyce had many wonderful recollections of life back in harder but simpler times.  She loved to square dance and recalled many wonderful times doing so with the late Russell and Marjorie Beckwith and Ervin and Irma Rose.  Listening to her life as a teenager during World War II was very interesting and enlightening.  From working at a tobacco farm to standing in rationing lines, everything has an interesting story.  Joyce wanted for very little but gave a whole lot.  She had a wonderful and kind spirit and will be very sadly missed. 

For many years she was a member of the Little River Baptist Church and served on the Ladies Auxiliary for Lebanon Fire Department from 1947-1989. 

Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, always putting her family first above everything. She was always interactive with her children; she could often be found playing basketball or Yahtzee with them.  In later years, she enjoyed special times watching game shows with her sons.   She was a phenomenal cook and baked many delicious treats.  Her children and grandchildren looked forward to each birthday so they could receive her famous cream cheese cookies.   Her children were blessed in that she was able to care for all four of her grandchildren after school and during vacations throughout their school years. 

She was predeceased by her husband and 3 step-sisters, Sandra Cohen Chase, Sylvia Cohen Towel and Jane Cohen Miller.  Surviving are her 3 sons, Glen Gerrish and wife Vickey, Shawn Gerrish and wife Renee, Chad Gerrish and wife Trang all of Lebanon, 4 grandchildren; Shannon Waggoner and husband Richard, Andrew and wife Drew Gerrish, Brandon Gerrish and Hailee Gerrish; 3 great-grandchildren, Jacob and Lucas Gerrish and Alianna Waggoner.

Graveside Services are private.   FAMILY FLOWERS ONLY.  Friends who wish may contribute to the Maine Audubon, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105

 Arrangements entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home.  Condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com

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