Joyce L. (Smith) Newman

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Joyce L. (Smith) Newman, 90, a longtime resident of Warwick peacefully passed away at home, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, October 11, 2020. On December 6, 1929 in North Chatham, MA. Joyce was born the daughter of the late William and Myrtle (McGlean) Smith, Sr. For 53 years, she was the loving wife of Edward B. Newman until his passing in 2001.

Joyce was a jewelry artist at Stephen’s Jewelers for over three decades. She was passionate about music and devoted forty years to singing in a choir, thirty of which was as a parishioner of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Warwick. She was known to decorate the outside of cards that she would give on special occasions, which made them extra special! Christmas dinner was always at her home where countless memories were made sitting around the table. Joyce was hard to keep still, even up until her late eighties. She would jump on a RIPTA bus, as she never owned a vehicle in her life, and would go shopping downtown by herself. Joyce lived an exuberant life. She loved to travel, especially to locations where a Casino may reside and go on cruises. Her faith and family gave her all the provisions she needed in life, but nothing gave her more joy than to see her family grow.

In her 90 years, Joyce grew to be a wonderful woman, wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Her love will live on in her three children: Ronald Newman (Kathy) of Warwick, RI, Kenneth E. Newman of Warwick, RI and Richard D. Newman (Marian) of Warwick, RI; five grandchildren: Stacy Newman, Jennifer Newman, Heather Preuit, Richard Newman, and Kristina Bercher; eight great-grandchildren and two siblings: William Smith, Jr. of Florida and Marilyn Ruggeri of Warwick. She is predeceased by her sister Jean Martinelli.

Visitation will be on Saturday, October 17 from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., immediately followed with a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick, RI. Face coverings must be worn, and social distancing is practiced. Due to coronavirus restrictions, burial will be private at the RI Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Amedisys Foundation, c/o Beacon Hospice, Meadows Professional Office Park, 1130 Ten Rod Rd STE A205, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Remembrances may be shared at carpenterjenks.com