Joyce (Jordan) Jasenski
Nathaniel White
July 13, 1939 - April 9, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mom, L. Joyce Jasenski. Joyce died peacefully, at home, on April 9, 2025, at the age of 85, after a brief illness. Joyce was born July 13, 1939, in Middletown, CT, the only child of Robert and Pauline (Cooper) Jordan.
Joyce grew up in Middletown and graduated in 1957 from the new Woodrow Wilson High School. In 1961, she graduated from Colby College in Waterville, ME.
Joyce was a teacher at Nathaniel School in Cromwell, CT, where she met her husband, Chester. They married in 1964, and settled in East Hampton, where she lived until her passing.
After having children, Joyce worked as a substitute teacher in Portland and East Hampton. She also worked for many years at The Hartford Insurance Company and loved riding the van to and from work. Joyce also taught swim lessons and organized the classes for a few years at Sears Park in East Hampton.
Joyce started dance lessons as a young child, with her mom making many of her costumes. She continued to take tap dance lessons at the East Hampton Senior Center until the week before her illness. Mom loved her paper route, delivering the Middletown Press that she began at the age 9. She still remembered who most of her customers were and which houses they lived in. Joyce loved traveling, the ocean, swimming, gardening, dancing, singing, car rides, poking around her yard, reading the newspaper, baking and pies and cookies from scratch, telling stories, helping others, having picnics at her house, attending concerts, laughing, and ice cream. Joyce and Chet enjoyed many summer camping trips to Rocky Neck, Hammonasset, and Burlingame State Parks with their kids. Most of all, Joyce enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends
Joyce was a Girl Scout for life. As a child, she loved scouting and camping with her troop. This led her to be a dedicated Girl Scout leader for her daughters and countless other girls. Joyce was the Service Unit Manager for the East Hampton Girl Scouts for many years and was a mentor for girls working on the Gold Award. She also helped with many other Girl Scout activities and troops, including her granddaughters' troop.
Joyce was an active member of the East Hampton Senior Center and the Congregational Church of East Hampton, where she sang in the choir, played bells, and served on various committees.
After retiring, Joyce and Chet enjoyed traveling throughout the country in their motorhome, bicycling, watching the UCONN Women's basketball games and spending time with family.
Joyce leaves behind her children, Jennifer (Middletown) and partner Joe Balfour, Jeffrey (Avon), Cyndy Deckelman and her husband Bill (Portland), Lisa Graver and her husband John (Vernon), and her grandchildren, Benjamin, Justin and Leah Graver, Kayla and Ava Deckelman, Landon and Rowen Jasenski.
We would like to thank Mary and Sharon for the joy they brought to Mom as her companions, to her friend, Winnie, for her help and support during mom's illness and to everyone who has supported us during this difficult time.
The family will receive visitors Tuesday, April 15, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Spencer Funeral home in East Hampton. A Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 11:00 am at the Congregation Church of East Hampton. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown, followed by a reception at 1:30 pm. Spencer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.