Joyce P. Sagal

Joyce (Perkins) Sagal passed away in her home on September 3, 2026. She was born in New Bedford, MA, moved to Providence, RI as a child but lived most of her life in Willimantic, CT. She and her husband, Ray, retired to Oviedo, FL in 2016.

Joyce was a warm, generous and welcoming person. She loved cooking and hosting friends and family - Thanksgiving was her favorite and memorable for anyone who attended. Celebrations were typically hosted at her place, and they were frequent, as Joyce had many decades-long friendships. At Christmas time, she would wrap packages in beautiful paper and handmade beautiful bows. Nobody wanted to throw away those bows! She made every present look so beautiful. She knew so many people, it could sometimes take her over an hour to get through the grocery store because she bumped into friends all the time. Another thing Joyce was known for is knitting beautiful baby sweaters, hats and booties. Countless newborn babies went home in a “Joyce Sagal Original”. She would knit beautiful hats, mittens and scarves for her grandchildren which are now saved precious keepsakes. Joyce was the best grandmother ever. She took this role very seriously and looked for any opportunity to spend time with her grandkids. She made every performance, show and graduation possible.

She fought a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia which has been beyond difficult to witness and why it’s so important to remember who she was: a loving partner in her 59 year marriage, a supportive parent who knew when to listen, give advice or a kick in the pants, an adoring grandmother, a loyal and reliable friend and a kind, caring, capable, smart woman who always valued people over anything else.

Joyce graduated from Windham High School in 1966 and Manchester Community College in 1989. Her career included roles in retail and banking, Payroll Supervisor for the Town of Manchester, the first Executive Director of Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) and the Administrative Assistant of Campus Ministries at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Raymond, her children John, Nancy and Amy (Rene), her grandchildren Benjamin, Emily, Andy and Ellie, her siblings David and Barbara, her nieces and nephews, and her dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Roger and Louise Perkins and her brother Robert.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Florida Lewy Body, Inc. or The Lewy Body Dementia Association via the links below. 

To share your memories of Joyce or to leave a special message for her family online please visit the guestbook below.