Joyce Lee Palermo

Joyce Lee Palermo, “Copper” to her friends and family, of Cape Neddick Maine, passed away quietly at home on July 17, 2018. She was born on August 16, 1951, to Jimmie and Lee Haywood. Born one of two beautiful twin girls in North Dakota, Joyce grew up in Ingleside Texas, and in her 20’s took up residency in Aransas Pass, Texas.

As a young mother, Joyce Lee had three wonderful children (Robert, Patricia and Joyce) and used her considerable culinary and management skills and while working in the restaurant business to provide for them. She often carried multiple jobs in different positions in order to provide the best for her children, which was so very important to her.  Joyce’s natural skill and devotion to her culinary craft sparked the interest of a local restaurateur, Sam J. Palermo, who would eventually become the “Man of her Life.” They fell in love, and built a wonderful, strong and devoted 39+ year marriage together.  During that time, Joyce mastered every skill in the restaurant business, including front and back of the house, catering, event planning, and the art of great cooking. She finished her career as the head chef at a beautiful seaside restaurant in Rye, New Hampshire.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmie and Lee Haywood, and by her twin sister Lois Lee Sarter. Joyce is survived by her 92-year old husband, Sam J. Palermo of Lawrence MA, by her daughters Joyce Hurley of Rochester, New Hampshire, and Patricia Clericuzio of Cape Neddick, Maine, by her son, Robert “Butch” Collins of Houston,Texas, by her five grandchildren, Devin Hurley, Taylor Hurley and Quinn Hurley, Tiffany Collins, Kayla Collins, and by her great grandchild, Levi Collins.

Calling hours will be held from 3 to 6pm on Friday, July 20th in the Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, 91 Long Sands Road, York, ME.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1pm on Saturday,  July 21st in  St. Christopher’s Church, 4 Barrell Lane, York, ME. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com

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