Joyce W. Bird Jezyk

April 19, 1932 - September 15, 2018

LEOMINSTER- Joyce W. (Laventure) Bird Jezyk, 86, of Leominster, died Saturday morning, September 15, 2018 in the Health Alliance Leominster Hospital. She was born in Fitchburg on April 19, 1932, a daughter of the late Albert E."Bunny" and Ethel "Love" (Trottier) Laventure. She grew up in West Townsend and graduated from Spaulding High School, where she played varsity basketball with her sister Sally. She went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in teaching from Fitchburg State Teachers College in 1953. She began her career in the City of Springfield and continued teaching for nearly 40 years. She subsequently taught in Chelsea, VT, before returning to Massachusetts where she taught fifth grade for twenty-five years at Crocker Elementary School in Fitchburg. She retired with cherished memories, lifelong friends, and a lasting legacy. Joyce‘s spirit and love of family, including “next of family,” was unconditional and everlasting. She especially enjoyed her days by the ocean in Englewood, FL., Hampton Beach, NH., and Cape Cod, jumping waves with her grandchildren and then splurging at the penny candy store. On colder days, bowling and Chinese food with Nana was another favorite pastime. Her quick wit and spunky personality will truly be missed. She leaves her three children, a son Michael Bird and his longtime companion Linda Leclerc of Westminster; two daughters, Susan Cavaioli and her husband Jim and Elizabeth "Betsy" Daigneault and her husband Tom all of Leominster; a sister, Sara "Sally" Leary of Ayer; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her first husband, Charles D. Bird and her second husband James Jezyk. The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the staff at the Manor on the Hill and to Dr. Robert Babineau, Jr., for their loving care. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 20, at 10AM in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in West Townsend. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 19, from 4 to 7 PM in the Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon St., Fitchburg. For further information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to the Jimmy Fund 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA. 02445-7220