Marlborough- Joyce Elizabeth Thompson, 81, of East Longmeadow died Monday March 10, 2014 at Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Center. She was born in 1932 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the third daughter of the late Laurence and Minnie (Hrabik) Waite. Joyce was a graduate of Rugby High School, in Rugby, North Dakota where she excelled in stenography and typing. She married Arden Thompson in 1951 and lived in Alabama, Colorado, California, New Jersey, Michigan, and Illinois for Arden's work. They settled in Massachusetts in 1965 and began a successful business together (Environair Systems) until their separation in 1973.

Joyce then became secretary to Principal Jerry Badger at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham. Joyce was a purchasing agent extraordinaire for the Terry Steam Turbine division of Ingersoll Rand of Windsor, Conn. and Buyer of precious metals and ISO 9000 coordinator at J.M. Ney Company of Bloomfield, Conn. for many years.

Joyce was a member of the Newcomer's Club and Sweet Adeline's in Elmhurst, Illinois and the Senior Trivia Team in East Longmeadow. She enjoyed reading mystery novels, acing crossword puzzles, political discourse, travel, sailing, and going to the Metropolitan Opera with her dear friend Charlie Beeler. She is preceded in death by many friends, sister Dorothy Cullum, sister Lucille Waite, both of Florida, and Allan and Gregory Waite, both of Minnesota. She is survived by children Tim Thompson, his wife Ana, and son Arden of Marlborough; a daughter Laura Thompson and son-in-law Paul Winkle of Golden, Colorado; and a sister, Sharon Preuss of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

There will be cremation, and ashes will be scattered in the months to come. Friends are invited to join the memorial at Bentley's Bistro in East Longmeadow on Sunday March 30, between 3-5 pm. Donations may be made in Joyce's memory to dementia research.