Windsor, VT- Joyce Anne Dow, 91, passed away at Cedar Hill in Windsor, VT on December 4th, 2024. She was born on National Street in Windsor on May 1, 1933, to William Earl and Charlotte (Lowery) Dow.

Joyce grew up in Windsor and attended the local schools. She went on to graduate from Castleton State College with a master's degree in education. Her first teaching job was in West Windsor, where she taught multiple grades at the same time. She went on to work in the Windsor School District, where she taught for 46 years. She was a teacher, reading specialist, administrator, and was Vermont's first homeschool coordinator. Her passion was helping children through their challenges and giving them the knowledge and support they needed to be successful. During her career, she developed many relationships and friends that loved and respected her for her entire life. It was not uncommon for people to approach Joyce in her retirement to thank her for her valuable contributions to their education. She always remembered their names and praised them for their efforts.

Though Joyce never had children of her own, she had more love and understanding than most. Everyone was always welcome, and knew Joyce's love for them was unconditional. She was a pillar of the family, and her home was a hub and meeting place for family and friends for decades.

After her retirement in 1992, her home, that had always been a welcoming place, became the hangout for another generation of family. Joyce's home was a safe and loving place for her great nieces and great nephews to be cared for after school to do homework, eat snacks, and have fun. Although she could be stern, there was always a fresh pot of coffee, and she never missed a birthday or special occasion. Over the years, she earned the title of second grandmother to many and was affectionately known as 'Joyce Mother'. She loved to read, and had the best handwriting.

Joyce was predeceased by her mother, Charlotte Lowery Dow, and her father, William Earl Dow; her sisters, Patricia Harford and Charlotte Taft, her brother, Richard Dow, nephews, Greg Harford, David Harford, and Michael Dow.

She is survived by her brother, William Earl 'Butch' Dow, Jr., of Manchester, CT, and many many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

A graveside service will be held at 10am on Friday, May 16th, 2025 in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor, VT. Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com