Joyce I. Cass

TEWKSBURY, MASSACHUSETTS – Mrs. Joyce I. (Houghtaling) Cass, 71, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, formerly of Colebrook, New Hampshire, passed away to join the love of her life on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at the Saints Memorial Medical Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. Joyce was born December 22, 1937, in Athens, NY, a daughter of the late Carl and Jessie (Teator) Houghtaling. Joyce was a graduate of Coxsackie Athens High School in New York. She married her husband of 34 years, Morris Cass, right out of high school. Joyce and Morris spent the beginning years of their marriage in Athens, NY, then resided in Woburn, Mass., for a number of years before moving to Colebrook, where she spent most of her adult life. Joyce worked for the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital as a billing clerk for 13 years until her retirement. Her many interests included bowling, crocheting, reading, dancing and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was more recently active at the Senior Center in Tewksbury. The courage and strength that she demonstrated during her illness is a testament to her character, and she will be dearly missed by her family members and many friends. Joyce is survived by her five children, Kathleen Cass and Steve Berry of Colebrook, NH, Karen Cass of Manchester, NH, Kelley Gonsalves of Tewksbury, MA, Kristin Robinson of Colebrook, NH, and Kevin Cass of Penacook, NH; three brothers, Robert Houghtaling of Sacramento, CA, Arnold Houghtaling of Southwick, MA, and Eugene Houghtaling of Athens, NY; her sister, Doris Carrick of Athens, NY; nine grandchildren, Michelle and husband, Jason, Scott, Joseph, Erin, Jennifer and friend, Brian, James, Jessica and fiancé, Kevin, Tyler and Cody; five great-grandchildren, Anthony, Aiden, Kyla, Arianna and Kaelyn. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Morris Cass in 1994; and three brothers, Frank, Donald and Stanley Houghtaling. At Joyce’s request, there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, September 5, 2009, at 2 p.m., at the Colebrook Village Cemetery with The Reverend Marlyn Neary officiating. A memorial service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Woburn, Mass., at a later date. Expressions of sympathy in Joyce’s memory may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer Fund, c/o Rosemary Mulliken, First Colebrook Bank, 132 Main Street, Colebrook, NH 03576; or to the Kiwanis Club of Colebrook, P.O. Box 241, Colebrook, NH 03576. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Joyce I. Cass

December 22, 1937 - August 26, 2009