Obituaries

Joyce Grabel

September 11, 1954 - May 2, 2021

Burial Date May 8, 2021

New London – Joyce Anne (Passero) Grabel, 66, of New London died Saturday, May 2, 2021, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. She was born Sept. 11, 1954, in Athens, Ga., the daughter of the late Ernest and Eileen (McGuire) Passero.

A lifelong resident of New London, Joyce Anne graduated from St. Joseph School and St. Bernard High School. After high school, she attended the University of Connecticut at Avery Point. There, she met the love of her life, George Grabel. They were married Sept. 29, 1973.

Joyce Anne was a prominent member of the St. Joseph School Community. She edited the school newsletter and was an independent childcare provider for many years, lovingly caring for a number of students who attended St. Joseph School.

As a mother, Joyce Anne was very active with her children in their youth. From going to Ocean Beach, coordinating Boy Scouts activities, or enthusiastically cheering on her sons in wrestling, she was an influential presence in their lives. Joyce Anne also spent as much time as she could with her cherished grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Joyce Anne was also a prolific writer, with numerous published works to her credit.

During her career, she worked for BBP in Waterford, The Day newspaper, The Oldham Publishing Service, Aspen Publishers, and Wolters Kluwer. In 2003, she started her own freelance services business, Editorial Direction LLC, and had just retired in January 2021, from her position as Owner/partner and Editorial Director.

In addition to her husband of 47 years, she is survived by her four children, Jessica Hickey and husband Justin of Colchester, Joshua Grabel of Brattleboro, Vt., Justin Grabel of Moodus, and Jeremy Grabel and wife Megan of Waterford. She had four siblings, Michael Passero and wife Mary of New London, Sharon Spivack of Israel, Kevin Passero of Niantic, and Deirdre Ahern and husband John of Salem. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Ona and Isara Grabel, Katelyn and Jackson Hickey, Raven, Jade, and Rowan Grabel, Jeremy Grabel Il, and Coltan and Haken White; as well as her much loved nieces and nephews; and dear friends, Jackie Pettey and Elaine Stattler.

She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Passero and sister Mary Minton.

Joyce Anne’s family will receive relatives and friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at the Impellitteri-MaIia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Avenue, New London. A celebration of her life and burial will take place this summer. Donations may be made in her memory to American Red Cross, American Kidney Fund (AKF), or Beacon Hospice.