JOYCE (ZAPPONI) CRAFTS

On January 31, 2024 at midday, Joyce Ann (Zapponi) Crafts was called back to the loving arms of God at 72 years young to join in the company of her husband Daniel and her parents Marjorie (Joyce) and Richard.  She leaves behind her children Elizabeth Rose (Lizz), Nathan Thomas, and Kelly Lynn.  Joyce will be missed by her brother and sister Richard Jr. (Heather and Leah) and Nancy (Jason, Evan and Idalia (Edwin and Camila), and Gregory) respectively.  

Joyce will also be missed by the family on her husband’s side including his brother Timothy and sister Kathy (Crafts) Hatch, Sandy (Katie Jessica, and Alissa), Heather, and Shannon.   Joyce and Danny played a large role in the lives of their nieces as they grew up.  She also will be with Danny’s late sister Theresa.

In her final days, she was visited by so many loved ones including both family and friends.  A few days before, we believe she was also visited by her late husband Daniel, to whom she rolled her eyes and stated, “Hush Danny, I’m commin’!”

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts and a graduate of Springfield Public Schools in the class of 1969, she returned to the City of Homes in 2018 in order to live with her daughter, Kelly and closer to her sister Nancy.

Joyce was always willing to love all people like family.  She believed blood means nothing when analyzing love.  She took many worthy souls into her heart, including the Henneys.

Her surrogate grandchildren include Victor Thomas IV, John William, and Benjamin James.  These young people brought joy and light into her life for all the years she knew them.  She doted on them and conversed with them in a way that exudes love and companionship.  When she learned of an upcoming visit, she was buzzing for days.  We believe that this helped her overall health and positive mindset allowing her to have a longer, more fulfilled life with meaning.  She enjoyed telling all of her friends about the antics of three growing boys.

Before she met her children, she was a Nurses Assistant at Baystate Hospital on Wesson 5.  She met may friends there that she kept in contact with for the rest of her life.  It was at this job that she made the friend that introduced her to Danny whom she wed through elopement on December 15, 1976 in Nashua, New Hampshire.  The union was witnessed by her sister Nancy.  When they returned to Massachusetts, there was a large celebration with many loved ones.  Not long after, Joyce and Daniel became Foster Parents for the state of Massachusetts.  

Many children came through their home, but on March 01, 1990, Joyce and Daniel made their love for Lizz, Nathan and Kelly clear by adopting the three children at the Springfield courthouse.  It was witnessed by her parents, siblings, family and friends.

She was always trying to teach all children, (especially those around her) to not follow her path of regrets. Her biggest regret was starting to smoke. She would push to have those (children and adults) who smoke, to begin smoking cessation immediately. 

Her life was about positivity towards her family and helping those kids who needed positive examples during rough times in their childhood.  She had told her daughters that if she still had the means to, she would have fostered again as they got older and more independent. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joyce’s name to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 4900 Turtle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, OH 43016  To make a gift by phone, call 614-977-0026

All services are private and have been entrusted to Avalon Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services, LLC 691 College Hwy, Southwick, MA 01077  To express condolences to the family please visit Joyce’s memorial page at www.avaloncelebrations.com

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