April 2, 1935 – January 27, 2025
Joyce E. (Russell) Fallon, a resident of Tewksbury for almost six years, formerly a resident of Reading for 45 years, passed away at her home on January 27, 2025. She was 89 years of age.
Joyce was born in Medford, Massachusetts on April 2, 1935, the daughter of the late Elwin and Rena (Ross) Russell. Joyce graduated from Medford High School, Class of 1953. After graduation, her plan was to go to nursing school and become a nurse like her mother, but she discovered that she was a few months too young to get into the program and would need to wait another year. Instead, she jumped into the workforce by taking a job as a Customer Service Representative for NE Telephone in Boston, a job she absolutely loved for several years. Once she met her husband John, she retired and devoted her life to homemaking, raising three children and countless pets.
Joyce was very involved in the First Baptist Church in Reading, sang in the choir for many years and was a Sunday School teacher. She was an incredible mom and was always there for her children, never missing a game or event. Joyce took care of her father in his final years as well as her in-laws. When Joyce’s children were grown, she provided day care for several of the neighborhood kids for many years, and then eventually for her grandchildren. Joyce was the ultimate grandmother, known as Nanni to her 5 grandchildren. She doted on them with trips to the park, walks to the convenient stores, trips to Boston on the train to ride the swan boats and numerous sleepovers.
Joyce (and John) were very social and involved in the community, hosting team parties, joining town committees, etc. They also treasured their time together going out to dinner to Kitty’s at least once, sometimes twice a week, for at least 40 years. Whenever she reflected back on her life, she would say she had a happy one and was very fortunate.
Joyce was the beloved wife of the late John L. Fallon, Jr, who passed away in 2017. She was the devoted mother of Kevin A. Fallon and Stephen M. Fallon both of Boston and Kelly C. Wentworth and her husband James of Tewksbury. Loving grandmother of Katelyn Stringfellow and her husband Nicholas, Jenna and Christina Wentworth, and Kiera and Jack Fallon. Cherished sister of Charles Russell of Colorado, Nancy Siniawski of Florida and the late Lois Hultberg.
A funeral service celebrating Joyce’s life will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, at the First Baptist Church 45 Woburn St. Reading at 11am. Burial will follow at Wood End Cemetery in Reading. There are no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joyce’s memory to the MSPCA 350 S. Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02130
Arrangements under the direction of the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home, Reading. www.douglassfuneralhome.com
