Joyce Merrill St. John, 86, passed away on Aug. 30. She was the beloved wife of Wilfred H. St. John, Jr., for 66 years. Joyce was born in New Haven on March 23, 1928, to the late Robert W. Merrill and Lydia Crook Merrill.

She attended New Haven and Washington, DC schools and Wilson Teacher’s College. Joyce was a stay-at-home mom while her sons were growing up, and was active in the North Branford Congregational Church and the North Branford Women’s Club, as well as her neighborhood association at Cedar Lakes Acres. She was a talented seamstress and embroiderer and an avid reader.

She became administrative assistant to Joseph Vancisin, executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Part of her position included attending 18 Final Four Basketball Tournaments.

She loved to do her laps in the backyard pool and continued to bowl in a local women’s league until the age of 84. She was a wonderful vivacious woman with a generous heart. She will be missed greatly by her family and friends.

She leaves three wonderful sons, Robert W. St. John and his wife Eileen of North Haven, David St. John of Racine, Wisconsin, and Craig W. St. John of North Branford; her beloved grandson Matthew St. John of North Haven; and four step-grandchildren, Kevin, Kerry, Joann, and Michele Krell. She was predeceased by her sister Dr. Lois Merrill of Arkansas.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Y-NHH staff and Branford Hospice for their kindness, support, and compassion.

A visitation was held at the Hawley Lincoln Memorial, Guilford. Memorial contributions may be made to the North Branford Congregational Church. To sign the online guestbook, please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.