Joyce Marie Yandow Donnelly, (This Obituary was written by our Mom) Formerly of North Ferrisburgh, died August 11, 2018 at the UVM Medical Center. Born 2/3/1936 she was the only daughter of Elizabeth A. Shortsleeve and Harris G. Yandow. Her early years were spent growing up in The Hollow where her parents owned a grain and farm machinery business. She attended the Hollow school, graduated from Mt. St. Mary’s Academy in Burlington then went on to Trinity College.
In 1954, the love of her life, Benjamin (Chuck) Donnelly, married her in St. Patricks Chapel of the Burlington Cathedral. They became parents to five beautiful children. During that time she shared her piano playing talent with those who listened and danced to Chuck Donnelly’s Orchestra. Joyce and Chuck not only worked together raising a family and making music but also at the Garden Way Living Center (1973-1985) and later on in their own Deli business, Chuck’s Country Deli.
She especially enjoyed yard sales, searching for sea shells on Florida beaches for her craft projects and her daily correspondence to family and friends.
Joyce was a faithful communicant of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where she maintained the flowers and plants for many years, was a member of St. Ann’s Society and a Eucharistic minister. She was a supporter of the Ferrisburgh Volunteer Fire Department founded by her father. She was a member and past officer of the Ferrisburgh Historical Society, the Ferrisburgh Friendship Club and the Red Hats.
She leaves her beloved children, Michael and his wife Lynn of Vergennes, Brian and his partner Jodi of North Ferrisburgh, Sharon and her husband Loudon Kent of Greenfield Center, NY and daughter Lynn and her husband Jeffrey Provost of Panton, her seven Grandchildren Sara, Adam, Justin, Ryan and Nicholas Donnelly, and Brittney and Benjamin Kent and 4 Great Grandchildren, Nova, Kallen, Addison and Olivia. She also leaves her Sister in Law Patricia Yandow as well as several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband Chuck in 2010, by her beloved son, Matthew in 1971, her brothers, Dr. Harris A. Yandow in 1993, and Richard A. Yandow Sr. in 2018, her father in 1980 and mother in 2000.
Console us, Oh Lord, in the hope that all who trust in you will find peace and rest in your eternal kingdom.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ferrisburgh Volunteer Fire Dept. P.O. Box 25 N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 or to camp Ta-kum-ta P.O. Box 459 South Hero, VT 05486
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 14th at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes from 5 to 7:30. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 15th , 11:00 am. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes. To send online condolences to her family please visit www.browmcclayfuneralhome.com
