Catherine Joyce (Guerins) Nugent

Catherine “Joyce” Nugent, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, September 9th, 2022, at Fairview Nursing Home in Groton, CT.  She was born on April 21st, 1932, in Belfast, Ireland to the late Thomas and Kathleen (Joyce) Nugent. 

Joyce grew up in Dublin, Ireland where she met her Andy, and they were married in 1951.  She became a military wife after Andy was drafted in 1952.  They both traveled the US and the world as a military couple, and both became stout and strong supporters of America.  She and Andy moved to southern California in 1972 where they lived close to the Pacific Ocean and developed deep and long-term relationships with hundreds of people.  Their home was the regular destination for the entire family around the world!

Her focus throughout her life was always friends and family, but her Andy was the love of her life, and she truly adored him.  They had been married for almost 70 years before Andy passed in January of this year.  Joyce and Andy moved to Connecticut in 2018 where they initially lived in Groton and then with their son and daughter-in-law in Preston.  Unfortunately, Lewy Body Dementia reduced Joyce’s zest for life, and she spent the past three years in Fairview Nursing Facility’s Memory ward.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents Thomas “Pop” and Kathleen “Nana” (Joyce) Nugent, her brothers Desmond and Cyril, and her sisters Angel and Geddy.  She is survived by her son Sean Nugent, her daughter-in-law Mary Jo (Burke) Nugent, and her many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews as well as numerous “adopted relatives” which she also cherished.  Joyce was always the life of the party and embraced many in her lifetime making each feel that they were also related to her.

We extend our warmest thanks to the “Entire Fairview Staff” for their kindness, patience, professionalism, compassion, commitment, and friendship.  Mom was very well cared for, loved, and became part of the Fairview family. 

We will all carry her light forward….

A Funeral Mass will be offered for her at 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 18th, 2022, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 243 Route 164, Preston, CT.  The Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home 490 Voluntown Road Jewett City, CT has been entrusted with the arrangements.  For online condolences please go to www.gagnefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairview Nursing Home, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton, CT 06340 www.fairviewct.org .

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