Nancy Elisabeth Joy

Nancy Elisabeth Joy, 75, wife for 51+ years of Raymond Allan Joy, died July 31, 2023, in
Greenville, SC.
Born and raised in Arlington, VA, she graduated from Washington-Lee HS in 1966, then
completed her A.B. in Spanish followed by a Master of Library Science degree from Syracuse
University in 1971. Nancy married her college sweetheart, Al, on June 10, 1972. Nancy loved,
and was proud, to be a “Mensa” member.
Art was a constant in Nancy’s life; she created exquisite silhouette pictures and stationery.
Nancy loved to crochet, doing many adorable animals, and even an entire Nativity scene. She
also created works by knitting, shirret, and needlepoint. As a lifelong Episcopalian, she brought
her talents and service to churches in Arlington, VA, Glastonbury, CT, and Greenville, SC. She
was a leader of the prayer shawl ministry, a member of the Altar Guild, and sang in the church
choir at St. Peter’s. When her mother and father relocated nearby, Nancy was their caregiver,
despite her own health issues. Nancy is remembered as a kind and gentle person. She also loved
animals, and she and husband adopted one dog and many cats, most of which lived to senior ages
due to her expert love and care. Nancy spoke about remembering being a first child, yet she very
much loved her sisters when they came along, as well as extended family, bringing funny hats
and glasses to annual Cape May reunions and thoughtful and generous gifts to Christmas
gatherings. She enjoyed reading mysteries, fantasy, and science fiction novels. As a librarian by
training, she valued the classics yet still enjoyed a “quick read.”
Nancy is survived by her husband, two sisters, niece and grandniece, one aunt (for whom she
was named), many Joy cousins and their children, two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law,
with other direct-in-laws numbering one niece and one nephew, plus one-great nephew and one great niece.
The family would like to thank all the staff and volunteers at McCall House Hospice for their
expertise and caring support during Nancy’s final, eleven days under Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial suggestions for Nancy may be:
 St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Organ Reserve Fund, P.O. Box 25817, Greenville, SC
29616 (abundant.co/stpetersepiscopal/give, Fund: “Organ Reserve”)
 Augustine Literacy Project of the Upstate, 2435 East North Street, Suite 1108-266,
Greenville, SC 29615 (augustineproject-upstatesc.org)
 Your favorite charity (in memory of Nancy)