Obituary for Joyce M. DiVirgilio (Squire)
Joyce Margaret DiVirgilio (née Squire) who died on September 4, 2021, was born to Margaret (née Gardner) Squire and Alec Squire on March 1, 1926 in Chiswick, Middlesex, England. Joyce was educated at Oswestry's Girl's High School and studied nursing at King's College Hospital in London. During World War II, encouraged by her mother to avoid the German bombings, Joyce returned to Oswestry where she made gun parts at a machine shop and worked at the Wynnstay Hotel, which was managed by her mother.
While working at the Wynnstay Hotel she met and fell in love with Dominick “Dom” DiVirgilio. On October 11, 1945, a month after the war ended, Dom and Joyce married in England at the Oswestry Catholic Church. Soon after, along with thousands of war brides, Joyce traveled to the United States of America on a converted warship. Her mother eventually followed. Joyce and Dom had two sons - John (1947) and Michael (1948) - whom they deeply enjoyed and were incredibly proud of.
For 35 years, Joyce worked at the Korell Company, later named the Outlet Barn, working her way from clerk to the administrative assistant to the company’s vice president. She retired in 1989 to care for Dom after he suffered a major stroke.
Joyce’s devotion to Dom was clear as she cared for him until he passed in 2007 - and their love, and special bond, was evident throughout. During this time, Joyce also displayed remarkable balance, being sure to care for herself and her growing family.
Family was most important to Joyce and she was happiest when her family was together; enjoying and loving each other. She delighted in being with her five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren - especially during annual family trips to Cape Cod, a favorite location of hers. She also loved her daughters-in-law very much and the spouses of her grandchildren.
Joyce was also a loyal and devoted friend and was happy when helping others. She was an active volunteer around Mechanicville, serving as President of the Rosary Altar society, Vice President of the Senior Citizens, Treasurer of the Mechanicville-Stillwater walk for cancer (helping to raise $325K during her time), President of the Senior Dante club, and a member of the Catholic Daughters club and the Peters Purcell's Auxiliary. She was very active at church and served her community in countless other ways.
Joyce is predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Alec Squire, her husband Dom DiVirgilio, her granddaughter-in-law, Danay DiVirgilio and great grandson Vitus Dominick Coreno. Joyce is survived by her sons and their spouses: John and Cindi DiVirgilio, and Michael and Karen DiVirgilio. She is survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Denise and Jack McGonigal, Michael DiVirgilio, Leah and Bill Coreno, Cullene and Matt Bury, and Justin and Claudia DiVirgilio. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Michael Coreno, David Coreno, Meara Bury, William Coreno, Jake Bury, Marcella DiVirgilio, Mackenzie Squeglia, Ananda DiVirgilio and Juliana DiVirgilio as well as her daughter in law Judy DiVirgilio.
Joyce will be deeply missed by those who knew her.
Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, Sept 8th from 4-7PM at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville, NY 12118. Funeral Mass on Thursday at 10AM St. Paul's Church, 121 N Main St, Mechanicville, followed by burial alongside her husband at the Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mechanicville Stillwater Breast Cancer Walk, PO Box 5, Mechanicville, NY 12118 or National MS Society, PO Box #91891, Washington, D.C. 20090?.
While working at the Wynnstay Hotel she met and fell in love with Dominick “Dom” DiVirgilio. On October 11, 1945, a month after the war ended, Dom and Joyce married in England at the Oswestry Catholic Church. Soon after, along with thousands of war brides, Joyce traveled to the United States of America on a converted warship. Her mother eventually followed. Joyce and Dom had two sons - John (1947) and Michael (1948) - whom they deeply enjoyed and were incredibly proud of.
For 35 years, Joyce worked at the Korell Company, later named the Outlet Barn, working her way from clerk to the administrative assistant to the company’s vice president. She retired in 1989 to care for Dom after he suffered a major stroke.
Joyce’s devotion to Dom was clear as she cared for him until he passed in 2007 - and their love, and special bond, was evident throughout. During this time, Joyce also displayed remarkable balance, being sure to care for herself and her growing family.
Family was most important to Joyce and she was happiest when her family was together; enjoying and loving each other. She delighted in being with her five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren - especially during annual family trips to Cape Cod, a favorite location of hers. She also loved her daughters-in-law very much and the spouses of her grandchildren.
Joyce was also a loyal and devoted friend and was happy when helping others. She was an active volunteer around Mechanicville, serving as President of the Rosary Altar society, Vice President of the Senior Citizens, Treasurer of the Mechanicville-Stillwater walk for cancer (helping to raise $325K during her time), President of the Senior Dante club, and a member of the Catholic Daughters club and the Peters Purcell's Auxiliary. She was very active at church and served her community in countless other ways.
Joyce is predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Alec Squire, her husband Dom DiVirgilio, her granddaughter-in-law, Danay DiVirgilio and great grandson Vitus Dominick Coreno. Joyce is survived by her sons and their spouses: John and Cindi DiVirgilio, and Michael and Karen DiVirgilio. She is survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Denise and Jack McGonigal, Michael DiVirgilio, Leah and Bill Coreno, Cullene and Matt Bury, and Justin and Claudia DiVirgilio. She is also survived by her great grandchildren: Michael Coreno, David Coreno, Meara Bury, William Coreno, Jake Bury, Marcella DiVirgilio, Mackenzie Squeglia, Ananda DiVirgilio and Juliana DiVirgilio as well as her daughter in law Judy DiVirgilio.
Joyce will be deeply missed by those who knew her.
Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, Sept 8th from 4-7PM at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville, NY 12118. Funeral Mass on Thursday at 10AM St. Paul's Church, 121 N Main St, Mechanicville, followed by burial alongside her husband at the Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mechanicville Stillwater Breast Cancer Walk, PO Box 5, Mechanicville, NY 12118 or National MS Society, PO Box #91891, Washington, D.C. 20090?.