Joyce E. Sinnott

Joyce Elaine (Frail) Sinnott of Sturbridge peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 14. 

Joyce earned her B.S. degree in Mathematics from Jackson College at Tufts University and completed numerous actuarial examinations. For many years, Joyce served as Chairperson and member of the Board of Trustees of the Joshua Hyde Public Library in Sturbridge and served on the Sturbridge Cultural Council. She was a willing volunteer in many community activities and served as a co-chairperson of the playground building committee for the elementary school in Sturbridge and in building a playground in Chester, Vermont, where she lived for several years. Joyce served as Treasurer for the Hitchcock Free Academy in Brimfield and previously worked as a computer systems analyst for Saddlebrook Corp., State Street Bank, New England Life Insurance Co., and other firms. 

Joyce had a lifelong avid interest in astronomy. She was very active in Stellafane as a member of the Springfield Telescope Makers in Vermont after supporting her young teenage son Brian as he built his first telescope and later conducted his “dark skies” research as a high school student. She also enjoyed observing and feeding her birds year round, caring for her flowers in the summer, and pursuing her many other interests with her usual enthusiasm and smile. 

Joyce leaves John J. Sinnott, her loving husband of 53 years, joins her late son Brian J. Sinnott, and leaves her caring family, including her sister Kathleen and Mati Merilo of Tacoma, WA, her brother Bruce and Lisha Frail of Atlanta, GA, and her brother-in-law Joseph Sinnott and Elizabeth Medaglia of Arlington, VA. She also leaves her nephews and nieces Erik, Aleks, and Kristi-Anne Merilo; Shauling Redecker and Kyle Frail; and grand nephews and nieces Matias, Arden, Melia, Olivia, Branden, Zac, McKenna, and Cameron. 

Calling hours will be held at the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St., Southbridge, MA on Mon., July 22, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. (www.belangerfuneralhome.com). 

A reception for a Celebration of Life and Sharing Memories of Joyce will then follow at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at The Barn at Wight Farm in Sturbridge (off Cedar St., adjacent to Route 20) at 420 Main St., Sturbridge (https://thebarnatwightfarm.com/). 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joyce to: Friends of the Joshua Hyde Public Library at 306 Main St,, Sturbridge, MA 01566 (www.sturbridgelibraryfriends.org) or the ALS Association (www.als.org) to treat and find a cure for ALS. Your thoughtful gifts or donations in memory of Joyce or your own loved one will be appreciated.

An online guestbook is available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com