Joyce Ann (Jackson) Petit of Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island passed away on November 29, 2022 after sustaining injuries from being hit by a car. She was the beloved wife of the late Raymond Colgate Petit, sister to Donna Jackson Siedlar of Carlisle, MA and loving aunt to Sarah Ann Bunce, Amanda Joyce Ormiston and Patrick, Ira and Kristopher Briggs and many grand nephews and nieces. Joyce also was fortunate to have her husband’s large family, including Esther and Carleton Petit and Raymond’s brothers, twin Roy, elder brothers Leon and Todd of East Wenatchee, WA and youngest, Mason of New Hampshire, as well as sister, Pauline (Pauli) Maher of Lewiston, Idaho.
A Massachusetts native, Joyce was born in Watertown, MA on February 1, 1943 to Donald and RuthAnn Jackson. When Joyce was 3 months old, her father Donald joined the army and was sent to Europe to fight in World War II. Joyce did not see her father again until she was three years old when he returned from Europe. Joyce grew up in Acton, MA and then her family moved to Harvard, MA, a couple towns over. Joyce was introduced to her husband Raymond by Raymond’s sister, Pauli. Pauli instantly recognized that these two people were made for each other and arranged a meeting. A perfect match, Joyce and Ray complimented each other in every way and married February 9 of 1971. Joyce and Ray were married in the living room of her family home in Harvard MA. Ray sadly passed away in 1999.
Joyce was a prolific reader and a beautiful artist. She loved writing letters and would always decorate the letters and envelopes with her special drawings. Her letters and drawings are treasured by those who received them. Joyce also loved animals and often kept small pets. She would delight her nieces and nephews with sketches of her pets. Joyce loved to walk. She was often walking all around Oak Harbor to do her errands and enjoy the outdoors. Joyce was also a talented dancer in her youth and was once a sugarplum fairy in a production of the Nutcracker in Boston. Joyce was a loving aunt who adored children. She visited Massachusetts with Ray to spend time with her family, creating many fond memories for her nieces there. She and Ray both loved to have their nephew Patrick visit with them in Oak Harbor.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will not be formally held. Please remember her in your hearts. Donations in her memory can be made to the Oak Harbor Public Library.
