Joyce Audrey (Spaulding) Dagnall
Born June 13, 1929
Joyce Audrey (Spaulding) Dagnall, age 87, of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, June 25, 2016.
Born at home in Georgetown, MA on June 13, 1929, Joyce was the daughter of the late Maurice A. and Esther (Van Moll) Spaulding. She attended Tufts University, majoring in sociology and became a lifetime member of the Chi Omega sorority. She met her husband, Bill, at a dance at the Franklin Square House and they were married in Georgetown on November 25, 1950. After the couple retired from their jobs in Virginia, they returned to Glen Farms to live.
Joyce was an accomplished pianist, accompanying operettas in high school and playing regularly at the Calvert Manor Healthcare Center and the Newark Senior Center, both entertaining and accompanying. As an advocate of bringing music to the senior center, she found great pleasure in creating programs for them. Her favorite hobby was playing bridge with her husband – a tradition the couple began a week after marrying, and continued throughout their lives. Joyce had many interests, including crocheting, sewing, gardening and fishing with Bill. A woman of strong faith, she was a longtime and active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Newark.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, William Raymond Dagnall, Jr. and her sister, Barbara (Spaulding) LeBlanc. She is survived by three daughters, Susan Dagnall, Katherine Dagnall and Cynthia (Dagnall) Mullins; son-in-law, David Mullins; four married grandchildren, Douglas and Emily Mullins, William and Lisa Mullins, Kimberly and Allan Barr and Heather and Fernando Estep; and 13 great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Seasons Hospice for the excellent care and compassion given to Joyce.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Thursday morning, June 30, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, 292 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711, where a visitation will be held from 9:15 am until 10 am. Interment will follow in Head of Christiana Cemetery, Nottingham Road, Newark, DE.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to further her passion for music may be made to Instruments in the Attic, c/o Cecil County Public Schools, Fine Arts Department, 201 Booth St., Elkton, MD 21921.
Williams Family
I read the obituary about the loss of your loved one and I extend
my sincere condolences. At this time you are feeling an unbearable
pain, and experiencing a great loss. Psalms 46:1 says, “God is our
refuge and strength, a help that is readily found in times of distress.”
He will help you get through this difficult time. (Isaiah 41:10)
I hope this brief Bible message has brought you a measure of comfort
during this difficult time.
Ruth Rees Bilas
Dear Susan, Kathy, Cindy, and your families, I am so sorry to learn of the death of your mother. I remember her as a very elegant, kind and accomplished lady, and a wonderful cook. I know that you will grieve her passing. and at the same time recognize that her faith and goodness will put her in a beautiful place, safe with your father.
With thoughts, prayers, an blessings for your healing,
Ruthie
Cher Finnan
I am sad at the loss of Joyce now and of Bill before her. Joyce and Bill were our neighbors in Glen Farms with our house just down from their back yard on Crest Road. One of my fond recollections of both of them was their obvious affection between them as they went on daily walks often holding hands. They were both unfailingly kind neighbors and one of my many life regrets is moving away from Glen Farms. More than once, they each remarked to me that they had always planned to retire to Glen Farms as they had such happy memories of raising their children there.