Joyce L. Hale

Joyce L. (Yonkosky) Hale, 79, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 11, 2016, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. Her husband of 47 years, Charles H. Hale, Jr., passed away on September 26, 2005. She leaves her children Lizbeth F. Patterson of Auburn and her daughters Chloe and Hannah, Jennifer L. Hale and her husband Andrew O’Connor of Shrewsbury and his children Brittany, Matthew and Courtney, Charles E. Hale and his wife Diann of Rutland and their children Austin, Cole and Sophia and Thomas C. Hale of Scarborough, Maine and his children Victoria and Matthew. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Frances (Hale) Stakun of Worcester; nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her son-in-law, Richard Patterson. Joyce was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late John Yonkosky and Olga (Lindberg) Yonkosky. She graduated from North High School and received her nursing degree from The Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and later received her Bachelor’s Degree from Anna Maria College. A Registered Nurse, she worked at The Memorial Hospital upon graduation. After raising her family, she returned to nursing as Staff Development Coordinator at Bancroft House Healthcare, Charge Nurse at the Jewish Home for the Aged, Nursing Supervisor at St. Francis Home, and Director of Nursing at Spring Valley Nursing Home. She joined the American Red Cross in 1988, retiring as Manager of Donor Operations in 1998. She was a member of The Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family at All Faith’s Cemetery. At the request of Mrs. Hale, there will be no calling hours. The family wishes to thank the Oncology/Infusion Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital as well as the staff at Rose Monahan Hospice Home for their exceptional care and compassion. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. An avid reader, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s memory to: The Leicester Public Library Capital Campaign Fund, 1136 Main Street, Leicester, MA. 01524. To share your thoughts and memories please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.