Joyce Ruth (Entwistle) DeCristoforo

Joyce DeCristoforo (née Entwistle) was born in Boise, Idaho on December 10, 1943. Her parents, Ruth Fiske (Gillam) Turcotte and Jack Entwistle were from Saugus, MA but were traveling at the time of her birth as her father was in bomber pilot training during WWII. Joyce passed away on June 9, 2024 after a brave and inspirational battle with multiple myeloma. She leaves behind her loving husband of 56 years, Ron; darling daughters Bonnie (Christian) Campagnuolo of Vienna, VA and Denise (Christopher) Reed of Winter Garden, FL and five precious grandchildren; Jonathan, Grace, James, Benjamin and Sofia. She is preceded in death by brothers, Robert John Entwistle of Peabody, MA and Bruce James Entwistle of Saugus, MA. Joyce grew up in Saugus, MA and while a student at Saugus High School, discovered her passion for helping people. While still in school she volunteered as a candy striper at a local nursing home before entering St. Elizabeth’s Hospital School of Nursing in Brighton, MA. She was able to finance her education by working some weekends and overnight shifts at St. Elizabeth’s. She graduated in 1964 as a Registered Nurse and began working at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and later became a visiting nurse for the Lynn Visiting Nurses Association in Lynn, MA. She met her husband Ron in 1963, and they married in 1968. Joyce supported the young couple while Ron completed his engineering degree before they started a family. Joyce set aside her nursing career for a short time to raise Bonnie and Denise. In 1980 she became the nurse for Life Concepts, Inc. (later Quest, Inc.) in Orlando, FL. The agency cared for developmentally disabled adults who were transitioning from archaic hospital wards to independent living facilities throughout the community. Her career grew along with the agency, and she earned the role of Director of Nursing. In the early 2000’s she joined other nurses in the area through the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association to set nursing certification standards. She became one of the first accredited Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurses (CDDN). Her Catholic faith was an integral part of her life and she was active for over 40 years at St. Andrew Catholic Church and school in Orlando, FL. She volunteered her time and talents by leading RCIA and baptism preparation classes, frequently covering the front desk at the rectory, participating in many parish initiatives and distributing food with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She only stopped when illness made it no longer possible to continue. People often remarked that she had touched their lives for the better. Her manner was patient, she listened intently and had an innate ability to console. Throughout her battle with this disease, her first inclination was always to ask about others’ well-being. Joyce set the bar when it came to balancing a fulfilling career and being a devoted wife and mother. She loved being with people, traveling (anywhere and everywhere), going to theater and movies, cooking for anyone who came through the door, and rooting for her Red Sox. She was also known to visit a casino now and then. Her greatest joy came when the grandkids arrived. Her paternal grandmother, Alice Entwistle, showered her with love, and Joyce wanted to do the same for her grandkids. She was a regular and active participant in each of the grandkids’ lives, creating memories that will always be alive in their hearts. She lived and loved her life to the fullest and touched countless people along the way. She leaves a legacy of service, strength, and kindness. Our sadness now is a testament to how much we love her and will miss her. Viewing to take place on June 13, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM at DeGusipe Funeral Home; 1400 Matthew Paris Blvd, Ocoee, FL 34761. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in her honor on June 14, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church; 801 North Hastings Street, Orlando, FL 32808. Graveside service immediately following at Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Joyce’s life. Following the cemetery service, there will be light refreshments at the Reed family home. Join us in reflecting on her wonderful life and perhaps sharing some of your personal memories. Joyce’s decision to seek novel cancer treatments came from her often-stated wish to someday “hold my great grandbabies.” Doctors and researchers are getting so close to making that dream a reality. So, in lieu of flowers, and in the hope that someday all the nanas in this world can hold their great grandbabies, please consider donating to the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) in Joyce’s memory. https://www.myeloma.org

Joyce Ruth (Entwistle) DeCristoforo

December 10, 1943 - June 9, 2024