Joyce Dunning
New Brunswick, N.J. — Joyce Sabrina Dunning made her journey home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, peacefully surrounded by family in New Brunswick.
She was born to the union of Kelly L. Dunning and Alma Moseley Dunning on April 14, 1961 in New London.
Joyce is survived by her loving mother, Alma of New London; son, Kristopher of New London; grandson, Alex of Palm Bay, Fla., for whom she had a special place in her heart; siblings, Sharon of Newington, Susan and husband, Miguel, of Somerset, N.J., Donald and wife, Denise, of Waterford, Daniel and wife, Annick, of Sterling, Va. and Stacy of New London; as well as a host of cousins and friends. Joyce was especially devoted to her nieces, Lexi and Kelly; and her nephews, Jake, Donovan, Karl, Sam and Sean.
Joyce was predeceased by her father, Kelly L. Dunning.
Joyce was educated in New London public schools as well as Barbizon School of Modeling and later relocated to Somerset, N.J., where she flourished and lovingly cared for hundreds of preschoolers in her 20-plus year career in the preschool industry. She last worked with a great group of people at Lightbridge Academy (North Brunswick, N.J.) whom she fondly considered her extended family. Her crowning achievement was making sure her pupils knew their state capitals before kindergarten! Joyce had a special talent for teaching youngsters hungry for knowledge and information about the world around them.
Perhaps as memorable about this fiery woman was her straight talk out of pure love. She was a woman who didn’t mince words or hold grudges. A spiritual woman, Joyce made her peace with cancer knowing it would not defeat her, as she accepted that she was bound for the next level of her journey Beyond All Understanding. Joyce would want you all to know she didn’t ask “why me?” or have regrets about living her life on her terms. She lived, loved, laughed and forgave with vigor; the same as she wished that all who knew her would go forth in her memory.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29, 2018, at Plinton Curry Funeral Home, 428 Elizabeth Ave., Somerset, N.J. A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 30, 2018, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1640 Amwell Road, Somerset, N.J. A reception will be held at the Stage House Tavern, 1719 Amwell Road, Somerset, N.J. at noon. A private burial will take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London.