Obituary for Loretta Joyner
On April 13, 2023, Loretta Patricia Joyner, born Loretta Patricia Malinsky and known later as Loretta Patricia Roscoe died at home in Charlestown, MA. She was 92 years old.
Loretta was “Mom” to five children who she championed individually and loved unconditionally, “Grandma” to nine and “Great Grandma” to two. She was also the loving wife of her first husband Harvey Roscoe with whom she raised her family in Acton, MA and on Diamond Island on Lake Winnipesaukee. After Harvey’s passing, Loretta married her longtime friend Frank Joyner with whom she shared a life of urban adventure, dining and arts centered around their home in Charlestown, MA overlooking the Constitution in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Loretta’s greatest accomplishment and biggest joy was as a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. However, later in life she made time to pursue a graduate degree in education taking classes at night for several years while also being “Mom.” She funneled her passion for literature into a teaching career in the Acton/Boxboro School System for many years.
As a mother, wife or friend, Loretta was giving, compassionate, attentive and loving. She was always up for a good adventure and a solid happy hour. She could climb Mt Katahdin one day and be at home in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts the next. She sailed the coast of Maine and later to the Bahamas with Harvey on their 37’ sail boat “Freya”. She also enjoyed trips to Europe and Canada, and classical concerts at Tanglewood in Western, MA with her second husband Frank.
Loretta was born in Bridgewater MA on January 11, 1931. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Romance Languages. She went on to earn a Masters of Education from Fitchburg College. She spent much of her adult life in Acton MA, where she raised her family and was an active community member. Loretta was involved with the League of Women voters and supported the Acton Memorial Library including serving as a Trustee.
Loretta is survived by her husband Frank Joyner, her sister Barbara Candito (James) of Bridgewater, her children Gregory Roscoe (Diane Mawhinney) of Portland, ME; Donna Nickerson (Glendon) of Framingham, MA; Andrew Roscoe (Karin) of Lusby, MD; Patricia Slattery (John) of Clinton, MA and Joan Abbott (James) of Higganum, CT. She is also survived by her second husband’s children Francis Joyner III (Julie) of Hudson, MA and Donald Joyner (Heather) of Sudbury, MA. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harvey Roscoe.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, who were a constant source of joy, Nathan and Emily Roscoe, Lauren and Taylor Nickerson, Julia Roscoe, John Slattery and Kate Cohen, and Brianna and John Abbott. She is survived by two great grandchildren, Ryan and Emma Cohen.
A celebration of life is being planned by the family. She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Loretta was “Mom” to five children who she championed individually and loved unconditionally, “Grandma” to nine and “Great Grandma” to two. She was also the loving wife of her first husband Harvey Roscoe with whom she raised her family in Acton, MA and on Diamond Island on Lake Winnipesaukee. After Harvey’s passing, Loretta married her longtime friend Frank Joyner with whom she shared a life of urban adventure, dining and arts centered around their home in Charlestown, MA overlooking the Constitution in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
Loretta’s greatest accomplishment and biggest joy was as a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. However, later in life she made time to pursue a graduate degree in education taking classes at night for several years while also being “Mom.” She funneled her passion for literature into a teaching career in the Acton/Boxboro School System for many years.
As a mother, wife or friend, Loretta was giving, compassionate, attentive and loving. She was always up for a good adventure and a solid happy hour. She could climb Mt Katahdin one day and be at home in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts the next. She sailed the coast of Maine and later to the Bahamas with Harvey on their 37’ sail boat “Freya”. She also enjoyed trips to Europe and Canada, and classical concerts at Tanglewood in Western, MA with her second husband Frank.
Loretta was born in Bridgewater MA on January 11, 1931. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Romance Languages. She went on to earn a Masters of Education from Fitchburg College. She spent much of her adult life in Acton MA, where she raised her family and was an active community member. Loretta was involved with the League of Women voters and supported the Acton Memorial Library including serving as a Trustee.
Loretta is survived by her husband Frank Joyner, her sister Barbara Candito (James) of Bridgewater, her children Gregory Roscoe (Diane Mawhinney) of Portland, ME; Donna Nickerson (Glendon) of Framingham, MA; Andrew Roscoe (Karin) of Lusby, MD; Patricia Slattery (John) of Clinton, MA and Joan Abbott (James) of Higganum, CT. She is also survived by her second husband’s children Francis Joyner III (Julie) of Hudson, MA and Donald Joyner (Heather) of Sudbury, MA. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harvey Roscoe.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, who were a constant source of joy, Nathan and Emily Roscoe, Lauren and Taylor Nickerson, Julia Roscoe, John Slattery and Kate Cohen, and Brianna and John Abbott. She is survived by two great grandchildren, Ryan and Emma Cohen.
A celebration of life is being planned by the family. She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.