Joyce Richmond O'Donnell

Joyce Richmond O’Donnell
12/3/1930 – 7/3/2024 (age 93)

Joyce Richmond O’Donnell, of Westbrook, ME passed away peacefully at her home in Westbrook,
ME on 7/3/2024 surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was the beloved daughter of James Milton and
Madeline Dudley Richmond. She was married to Donald (Scotty) O’Donnell for 67 years until his passing
in January of 2018. Joyce is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Joseph) Genna and Jane (Steven)
Brackett, her 6 grandchildren, their spouses and 13 great grandchildren.
Joyce grew up in North Deering Portland, ME along with her younger sister Janice. She graduated
from Deering High School in 1948 and was a member of the high school band and orchestra. After
marrying in 1951, Scotty enlisted in U.S. Army and traveled to Fort Lee Virgina in a 1938 4 door
Plymouth touring sedan towing a 23-foot travel trailer. Shortly after their first daughter Kathleen was
born, Joyce returned to Portland where her second daughter Jane was born. In the following years they
lived in Lincoln, Augusta, Gray, Sebago Lake and Westbrook. Joyce and her family lived in Gray for 31
years. In 1991, after 21 years as an administrative secretary with the Gray New Gloucester school
system, Joyce retired. After that she and Scotty moved to the family camp on Sebago Lake.
All throughout her life she enjoyed road trips with picnics and random adventures with her parents,
sister and daughters. They had favorite ice cream shops all over the state of Maine and New Hampshire.
Joyce and Scotty traveled coast to coast from Alaska to Florida, and Maine to Mexico. For a few years
they enjoyed being “Snowbirds” in Florida. They frequently traveled on the Scotia Prince to Canada,
along with a family vacation to Mexico and also to Niagara Falls.
During their many family lobster bakes, barbecues and camping trips up to northern Maine, you could
always count on Joyce to bring strawberry short cake, her signature potato salad, Maine blueberry pies,
and of course Italian sandwiches from her favorite Munjoy Hill sandwich shops.
Boating on Moosehead, Sebago and Casco Bay was a huge part of her family enjoyment. Joyce
Captained the boat with infinite patience while Scotty would manage 3 or more fishing poles. This
required endless calculation and maneuvering to keep the lines freed up. “I’m down 5 colors. Speed up!
Slow down! Stop, I’m hooked on bottom!” Yet, they more often than not had fresh fish for supper.
Joyce was a true Mainer at heart and loved Cardinals, Blue Birds and Lighthouses. She will always be
remembered for her endless smile and positive spirit.
Joyce was predeceased by her sister, Janice Eames Gulman in 1985. Joyce is survived by her two
daughters: Kathleen Genna and husband Joseph, Jane Brackett and husband Steven, two
granddaughters: Alyssa Daigneault and husband Aaron of Winthrop, MA., Angela Foy and husband Kevin
of Randolf, VT, four grandsons: Roger Andre’ Vachon of Standish, ME, Eric S Brackett and Leah Burke of
Portland, ME, Alexis Vachon and his wife Danielle of North Bend, WA, Alan Brackett and his wife Kelly of
Ellsworth, ME, ten amazing great grandsons: Ayden, Austin, Alex, Andrew, Ryan, Colin, Ace, C.J., Lucien
and Silas as well as three precious great granddaughters: Evelyn Joyce, Corea Marie, Joelle Soleil, as well
as three extra special nieces: Karyn, Joyce and Colleen, plus many more nieces, nephews, cousins and
friends.

Her brightness lives on with every beam of light scattered across the ocean from her beloved Maine
Lighthouses. (Eric S. Brackett)

We would like to send out a special recognition and thanks to the wonderful staff of VNA Home Health
and Hospice of Maine.
Joyce will be laid to rest next to her husband Scotty at Lakeside Cemetery in Livermore, ME
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Maine Medical Center’s new Cardiovascular
Department at http://mmc.org/giving  (207)662-2669

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