WATERTOWN, NY — Joyce Vivian (Hunt) Ahlstrom, 90, of East Main Street, Watertown, passed away Friday, June 21 st at Samaritan Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.
She was born Sept. 13, 1928, in Watertown to Frederick and Charleene (Lanfare) Hunt. She was the only daughter, fifth-born of eight children, and was predeceased by her brothers, Fred, Harlow, George, Robert “Charlie”, Donald “Moe”, Jack, Raymond. She is also predeceased by her son, James Guy Ahlstrom, who passed away Feb. 1, 2005.
She is survived by the love of her life, James “Jim” Ahlstrom, whom she married on November 5, 1955, officiated by Reverend Gair at Church of Christ on Arlington Street in Watertown. She has two surviving daughters, Charleene (Tony) Hall, Amy Ahlstrom; grandchildren, Shana (Peter) Simmons, Bud Harrienger, Bjorn (Alicia) Ahlstrom, Trevor Doyle; and great-grandchildren, Samara Simmons, Violet Ahlstrom, Mathias Ahlstrom. She is also survived by several devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Joyce was a stay at home mother to her three children and would also babysit other children in the family. She worked for a short time at Shaunessy’s Knitting Mill, as well as Olga Knitting Mill. However, she devoted her life to the care of her loved ones. In caring for her grandchildren she would walk them to the bus stop, take them to the store, make them popcorn, and teach how to play card games and dominoes; filling them with memories for a lifetime to come.
She was a strong woman who never complained and was kind to everyone she encountered. She loved reading her papers, watching television, and spending time with family and loved ones.
She enjoyed multiple trips throughout the years to Enchanted Forest with her family, often going more than once per year. She was always smiling and laughing, and she loved when family or friends would come to visit.
Joyce, Jim, and her brothers all loved to play cards and often played Hearts in a tent on Lake Ontario’s Reed Bay.
Joyce had a zest for life that never left her. She will be remembered as a “tough old bird” who took her life as it came. Up until the end, even when things got hard, she loved seeing everyone who came to spend time with her.
Burial will be held in North Watertown Cemetery at the convenience of her family. There is no funeral scheduled at this time. Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Watertown.
Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc.
Condolences may be made online at www.reedbenoit.com
