Joyce E. Foley, loving mother, musician

Joyce E. Foley, 83, of Rehoboth Beach, died of pancreatic cancer Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. She had been receiving hospice care at home since her diagnosis earlier this year.

Joyce was a member of the American Guild of Organists and worked for decades as an organist in several churches and a synagogue in Haverhill, Mass., as well as in Waterville, Maine. Her true instrument, however, was the piano. She had a real talent and shared it generously and with humility. In Rehoboth, she played for the chorus of the Cape Henlopen Senior Center and enjoyed traveling with its members to nearby nursing homes and assisted living facilities to share the gift of music.  She loved to bring joy to others. Joyce was a kind and caring person and made friends easily.

Joyce was raised in Medford, Mass., as the second of six children to the late Dean and Doris Fisher. She was predeceased by her siblings, Phyllis, Bob and Susan. She is survived by her brother, Stanley of Medford; and her sister, Lauraly of Florida. Joyce and her late ex-husband, Laurie Foley, raised their family in Groveland, Mass. She is survived by their son, Mark and his husband Peter of Washington, D.C.; son, Bruce and his wife Linda of Wisconsin; and their daughter, Kim of Rehoboth Beach. She is also survived by two grandsons, a great-grandson, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Before moving to Rehoboth six years ago to share a new home with her daughter, Joyce lived in South Portland, Maine.

Joyce’s final resting place is Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody, Mass.

Donations may be made in her memory to Cape Henlopen Senior Center, 11 Christian St., Rehoboth Beach, DE  19971; or to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.