Eleanor Rita Joy

Eleanor Rita Joy, 95, of Winchester died Monday, February 9, 2026 in Spring Arbor Assisted Living. She was born July 21, 1930 in Grimstad, Norway the daughter of Oller and Selma Anderson Jensen. She married Donald Paul Joy on June 24, 1950 in New York. Mr. Joy preceded her in death in 2020. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Greenwood Seniors Club, and the Parish Council of Catholic Women. Professionally, she worked as a bank teller for 26 years. She is survived by sisters, Techla Petersen and Sonja Auestad of Norway. Her siblings, Anne Bentsen, Solveig Hoyjord, Gerd Auestad, Inger Knutsen, Arne Jensen, and Ole Jensen preceded her in death. Eleanor grew up in Grimstat, Norway. After great hardship during and after WWll she immigrated to the USA in 1947. She met the love of her life Donald P. Joy, at a Norwegian dance, where Donald wowed her off her feet. They married 24 June 1950 after which they spent nearly seventy years together. she became a US citizen 30 June 1952 remaining so through life and death. Elli was a very giving person, helping her family in Norway especially post WWll. She delighted in family, dancing with Donald, cooking, hosting dinners and parties, knitting, traveling and helping the needy. She spoke often of her and her sister Anne singing together as youngsters and she would sing those Norwegian songs to us on occasion. I could write a book filled with her stories of Norway and her youth, occupied Norway in WWll, becoming a US Citizen, marrying Donald and their long life together. Too many to tell. But, to her family in Norway, she would want you to know, she loved and missed you all so very much and that was one story she wanted told! Eleanor, although unable to have children of their own, loved so many as if they were hers. The Joy family, Lindsey, Margaret, Vincent, Jeannine, Allison and her beloved godson, Damien. Niece Christina and husband Harry. Niece Denise Conte. Friends that were like family, the Sissler Family: Rich, Bernie, Jeremiah, Adam, Christina, Katelynn, Maria, Mary, Lily and Sarah. Trombly Family: Randy, Patti, Matthew, Benjamin and Samuel. Very close friends Dan and Celeste, Gene and Michelle, Bill and Anne, Brit, Anne Bova, Rick and Val, Katie, Bob and Theresa only to name a few. Please know Eleanor and Donald loved you all very much. You were all in their hearts to the very end. Eleanor and Donald were a devoted couple to each other and even more so to their Catholic faith. We all pray for them as they did for us, that they are once again united together in love, peace and good health. Hail Mary Full of Grace. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 12:00 pm Monday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 130 Keating Drive Winchester. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Casket Bearers will be Robert & Joshua McClure, Dan Steubing, Adam & Jeremiah Sisler, and Gene Stephens. Friends will be received 6-8:00 pm Sunday in Phelps Funeral Chapel 311 Hope Drive Winchester with a Rosary Service at 7:00 pm.

Eleanor Rita Joy

July 21, 1930 - February 9, 2026