Eleanor "Joyce" Oates

Eleanor “Joyce” Oates, 99, a longtime resident of Wakefield, died unexpectedly at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Monday, February 3.

Born in Saugus, January 27, 1926, she was the daughter of the late John F. and Helen (Hibbett) Donahue.

Joyce was a graduate of Saugus High School, Class of 1944. She was a member of St. Joseph Parish and was a retired cashier for CVS Pharmacies.

Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who cherished spending time with her family, attending sporting events, attending marching band and drum corps competitions, and playing BINGO at the Elks. She also loved watching golf and football, especially the Patriots. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards and puzzles. When raising her family, dinner was always on the table every night for a party of nine. She made the best potato salad ever! Grammy was beloved by all who knew her. Her greetings whenever she met you were as if you were long lost friends, even if she just saw you the day or two before. Her humor, her laugh, and her sharp memory remained with her through her final days. Gram’s recall of everyone’s birthdays was legendary. 

She was the beloved wife of the late Timothy J. Oates. She was the loving mother of Karen Aucone and her husband Thomas of Ipswich, Nancy Summa of Derry, NH, Maureen Farinato of Derry, NH, Timothy J. Oates Jr. and his wife Flora of Wakefield, Dennis M. Oates and his wife Denise of Wakefield, and the late Charles F. Oates and the late Thomas E. Oates II. She was the sister of the late Joseph Donahue and Kenneth Donahue. Joyce is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two grandsons, Jason Aucone and Matthew Oates. 

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Monday February 10, from 4-7 p.m.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyce’s memory may be made to the Charles F. Oates Scholarship. c/o The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, Inc., PO Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880.