Joy E. (Violette) Turney

Joy E (Violette) Turney 84, of Fitchburg MA surrounded by her loving family, died Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the Highlands in Fitchburg Mass after a long courageous battle with cancer.  

Joy was born in Fitchburg on January 6, 1940, daughter of Napoleon Violette and Bertha (Bastarache) (Violette) Maldari. Joy was a stitcher by trade and worked at various local companies, throughout her life. She is a lifelong parishioner of Saint Joseph Church in Fitchburg. She was a long-time resident of the Joseph House in Fitchburg.  

Joy loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her hobbies were camping, taking trips to the ocean, long Sunday rides, gardening, knitting and crocheting. Joy was known for helping others, giving rides to friends and neighbors, to doctors’ appointments and shopping. She was a very caring person and always concerned for others. If you mentioned you needed clothes or food, she would be at your door within the next week with the required items that were within her means to provide.  

She is predeceased by her husband Robert L Turney of 45 years. Joy had three children, Tina (Shepard) Gilbert and her husband James Gilbert. David Shepard and his wife Lynn (Dame) Shepard. Michael Shepard and his wife Marie (Melanson) Shepard. Joy was the proud grandmother of 9 grandchildren. Timothy Gilbert, Philip Gilbert and his wife Selena (Dupuis) Gilbert, Rebecca Gilbert, Alexander Gilbert, Joshua Shepard, Jacob Shepard, Jared Shepard, Nathan Shepard, Caitlyn (Shepard) Normandin and her husband Wade Normindin, also, two great grandchildren, Vincent Gilbert, and Ashton Shepard.   

Funeral and burial arrangements are being overseen by Lavery Chartrand Alario Funeral Home in Fitchburg, MA.  There are no calling hours.   A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday January 9th at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 49 Woodland St. in Fitchburg, MA. All are welcome to attend and should meet at the church. Burial will be private