Joyce M. (Briggs) Cole

A funeral service will be held on Friday March 19 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Cecilia’s Church, Leominster, MA. There are no calling hours.



Joyce Margaret (Briggs) Cole of Lunenburg, MA passed away at the age of 73 on March 7th, 2021, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, and was blessed to be in the loving care of Beacon Hospice of Leominster. Born September 24, 1947 in Omaha, Nebraska, Joyce previously lived in New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and California. Joyce is survived by the daughters she cherished, Jennifer Albert and her husband Michael Albert of Lunenburg, MA and Allison Cole of Grass Valley, CA; step-grandchildren Logan, Noah and Grace; sister Valerie Dixon and husband Wesley of Grass Valley, CA; brother Steven Briggs and his wife Fran of Long Beach, CA; brother Timothy Briggs and wife Victoria of Santa Rosa, CA; and sister Pamela Monk of Los Altos, CA. She also leaves many nieces and nephews, including her niece Amy Colbert, with whom she has been especially close since the loss of Amy’s mother, Joyce’s sister-in-law Jeannie Briggs; several grand-nieces and nephews; and many dear cousins and extended family members. Joyce’s friends were incredibly important in her life and she leaves behind her best friends of 51 years Maureen and John Ellis of Binghamton, New York; Krysten Mallon and her family; and many other close friends. In addition to her sister-in-law Jeannie Briggs, Joyce is predeceased by her parents Russell and Clarice Briggs; sister Janet Sterling; and many beloved pets. Joyce was valedictorian of her high school class and earned a Bachelor’s degree from UC Davis and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from UCLA. Her employment history included working as an accountant, but she mainly devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mom. Joyce was a lover of people and animals. She greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was incredibly kind, compassionate and generous. She often volunteered her time, including at Codman Community Farms in Lincoln, MA and volunteering at her daughters’ schools. Her hobbies included sewing, swimming, and traveling. She loved life and made the best of every last bit of time she was given, even as she courageously fought her illness. She will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered forever by all whose lives she touched.