Alecha Grace Leonard Joy, known as Lee, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Orleans on June 3, 2022. She was 101.
Lee was born on Jan. 17, 1921 in Southwest Harbor, Maine to Laura and Edmund Leonard. She graduated from Pemetic High School and attended Northeastern Business College in Portland, Maine. She then worked as executive secretary for a research technologist at the American Can Co. until her marriage to John Joy in 1950.
They lived in Kennebunk, Maine until moving to Orleans.
She was an active volunteer for the Head Start program, the Girl Scouts, the Orleans Historical Society, and the Orleans branch of Cape Cod Hospital Aid. She was also a longtime member of the Orleans Yacht Club.
She is survived by her daughter, Lucy Waterman Brown, and husband Nick of Truro, and by her son, Peter Waterman Joy, and wife Lynda of Orleans.
Lee was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, John “Cy” D.W. Joy and by three brothers and two sisters.
She is deeply missed by her grandchildren, Jennifer and husband Greg Morris of Harwich, Michael and wife Allyson Joy of Brewster, and Samantha Gilrein and husband Peter of Yarmouth Port, and by her great-grandchildren, Madison Morris, Dylan Joy, Grace Morris, Quinn Morris, and Hutton and Daisy Gilrein.
The family expresses gratitude for wonderful care by the staff at the Terraces in Orleans and Pleasant Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Brewster.
Interment will be private.
Her daughter notes that, thoughtful and giving to others throughout her life, Lee would be pleased if, in remembrance, people performed a kind act for others.
