Dedicated mother and grandmother whose home was open to everyone

Published November 21, 2018

NORTH READING — Joyce V. (Skinner) Tracy – Selfridge, 85, of North Reading, died at her home on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. She was the wife of the late Clayton “Buddy” Tracy, Jr. and Robert B. Selfridge, Sr.

Born in Lowell on October 14, 1933, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Veronica T. (Kelly) Skinner. Joyce was a lifelong resident of North Reading. She was a graduate of the L.D. Batchelder School, Class of 1948; Reading High School, Class of 1951; and the Comptromitor School in Boston.

Joyce worked as a nutritionist at the Meadow View Nursing Home in North Reading from 1987 to 1999, when the youngest of her 10 children was in high school.

Joyce was a member of St. Theresa’s Church and a Campfire and Boy Scout Leader in North Reading. Most of all she was a dedicated loving mother and grandmother. There was always laughter in the house. She was a caretaker for not only her own children, but their friends that needed a meal or bed to sleep in. Joyce’s home was always open to everyone. Kids came first, her own needs and wants last. Joyce loved to play piano and sing. She also enjoyed doing yard work, ballroom dancing, crossword puzzles, her big band CDs and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Family members include loving sons, James A. Tracy of Waybridge, Vt., Wayne J. Selfridge of Caribou, Maine, Roger B. Selfridge of Brooksville, Fla., Dana A. Selfridge of McCalla, Ala., Robert B. Selfridge of Malden, Thomas P. Selfridge of Taunton and the late Michael R. Tracy; daughters, Maureen (Tracy) Post of North Andover, Kathleen M. (Selfridge) Bythrow of North Reading and Eileen J. Selfridge of Raymond; late brother, Lawrence Skinner and late sister, Maureen A. Chaff. She is also survived by 24 loving grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Her funeral was held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, November 17, followed by a funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours were held on Friday, November 16. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Stephen Stiller Tunnel to Towers Foundation at tunnel2towers.org; North Reading Dollars for Scholars at P.O. Box 529, North Reading, MA 01864, or to St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St, North Reading, MA 01864. www.croswellfuneralhome.com