Joyce Slayton, 82

Joyce Slayton passed away on Dec. 5, 2025, in Wolfeboro.

Joyce was born in Laconia, on Feb. 10, 1943. She was the daughter of Harold and Dora Young. Joyce grew up in Laconia, graduated with honors from Laconia High School, and then attended Plymouth State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught at Inter-Lakes High School in Meredith for one school year, and then taught special education at the Laconia State School. She was employed at the State School in positions of increasing responsibility until the school closed. She then transferred to the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services in Concord, where she played a major role in the development of the statewide Area Agency System to manage delivery of essential services to citizens of New Hampshire. After a total of 30 years of service to the state, Joyce retired to her home on Long Island in Moultonborough. When she retired, Joyce had attained the position of director of developmental services.

Joyce spent time following her daughter Heidi’s athletic career at Moultonborough Academy and her success in graduating from Lyndon State College in Vermont. Joyce has a niece, Tricia, that lived with her from early teen years after her mom passed away. Joyce was always attentive to her pets that she loved and treated with respect and patience (Marti the cat, Mac and Willow the dogs). She truly enjoyed their presence and attention. She loved them.

Joyce and her husband Michael enjoyed their unique home, boating on Lake Winnipesaukee and cooking on the deck overlooking their backyard. They sold their house and moved to Summerfield, Florida, where they spent four years enjoying the amenities of the Sunshine State until they determined it was time to “go home” and they resettled in Wolfeboro.

Joyce and Michael have a total of 10 grandchildren — two are Heidi’s, three are daughter Mary’s, and five are daughter Catherine’s. Heidi lives in Milton, Vermont, Mary is in Newfields, and Catherine is in Chicago, Illinois. Joyce was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters, all of whom lived in the Lakes Region.