Published in the December 28, 2018 edition.
ROCKPORT — Joyce Bergholtz, 78, passed away peacefully early Christmas morning at her home in Rockport surrounded by her family. Joyce’s family was her life and we will miss her exuberance and zest for living.
Joyce was born on April 7, 1940 in Reading to Joseph and Rita Doherty and graduated from Reading Memorial High School and Westbrook Junior College in Portland, Maine. She was a professional dancer and conducted a dancing school in Lynnfield for several years. She was married to Peter Bergholtz for 57 years and brought her family up in Wakefield where she was town tennis champion and league titlist. Her athletic ability was passed to her four children as they all were college athletes. She was a regular golfer and tennis player at Bass Rocks Golf Club. Joyce was also an avid and expert gardener and cook. Her sense of community was fulfilled by her membership with the Rockport Garden Club and the Old Garden Beach Association along with volunteer activities at many other organizations.
She is predeceased by her sister Susan and brother Peter and survived by her brothers Patrick, Jack and Dennis as well as her husband Peter, her children and their spouses: Steven and Katherine Bergholtz, Scott and Erica Bergholtz, Jeff and Nancy Bergholtz and Amy and David Jones; and her grandchildren: Spencer, Sheridan, Riley, Annie, Jillian, Lindsay and Scott Bergholtz ,Henry, Will and Nate Jones.
The entire family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Day By Day Adult Care and Rhonda and Tiffany from Connected Home Care for their exceptional treatment of Joyce during the last phase of her life.
A private family service will be held at the Headlands on Saturday, December 29, to be followed by a public reception at The Fish Shack in Dock Square from 12 noon – 3 p.m. where all are welcome.
