Joyce J. Tasetano, 86, of Williston, Vermont, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her friends and family at The Arbors in Shelburne, VT on May 14, 2026. She was absolute love and light to all that knew her. Joyce will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, strong faith, witty humor, and unconditional love for every single person whose life she touched.

Born on March 19, 1940, at Fanny Allen Hospital in Colchester, Vermont, Joyce grew up in Winooski and made her life in Vermont. She lived her life in a million different directions and was always ready to lend a hand wherever she was needed. For most of her adult life, Joyce worked as an administrative assistant to the president at IBM, a position she truly loved. This is also where she met the love of her life, Lou Tasetano. They spent many loving years together until his passing in 2007. Their time spent together was everything to her and something that she always cherished.

After Joyce's retirement, her zest for staying busy only grew stronger. Her greatest passion was greyhound adoption and rescue, where she and her husband, Lou, devoted countless hours caring for rescue dogs through Northern Vermont Greyhound Rescue (formally Greyhound Rescue of VT). Throughout her lifetime, Joyce cared for and fostered countless greyhounds, and at one point had 5 of her own (at the same time). Each one was special in their own way and was given unconditional love.

She met many people through rescue and treasured all of the friendships that blossomed. Joyce's love for animals extended far beyond greyhounds. She could often be found feeding the birds, squirrels, and even foxes that frequented her front yard.

Joyce also spent many years working alongside Carrie and Shimmy at Boucher & Pritchard Funeral Home, where she found meaning in helping bring comfort and peace to families during difficult times. Deeply devoted to her faith, she served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. John Vianney, a role she cherished because it allowed her not only to strengthen her own relationship with God but also to bring communion and companionship to those unable to attend Mass.

If Joyce wasn't at home, she was likely out taking one of her beloved "walks around the block." She loved walking and became well known and loved throughout her neighborhood. Joyce was someone who always chose to look on the bright side of life. She lived each day to the fullest and never took waking up for granted, a philosophy reflected in one of her favorite sayings: "Life is not a dress rehearsal."

Joyce had many people in her life that she loved, but one special family was always in her heart. Stacey and Mike and their children, Andrew, Larissa, Kaitlyn, and Cecelia. The children renamed her Joyceee and they celebrated many of life's milestones together. Birthdays, trips to Maine, St. Francis Xavier and Rice High School functions, and many sporting events.

Joyce is survived by her son Jim Fregeau, Williston and daughter Kathi (John) Franco, Burlington; her sisters Jean (Richard) Kehaya, Colchester, Darlene Bordeau, So. Burlington, Deborrah (George) Molla, So. Burlington, Natasha (John) Carpenter, Beaufort, SC; her grandsons, Sean and Ryan McCaffrey, as well as all of her nieces and nephews that she adored so much.

Joyce is predeceased by her parents Viola and Edward Venezia, and her husband, Lou Tasetano.

A special thank you to all of the people that loved Joyce at The Arbors. Your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 1, at 11:00am at St. John Vianney Church, 160 Hinesburg Rd., South Burlington. Burial will follow at St. Stephen's Cemetery, Gorge Rd. Winooski. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joyce's name to Northern Greyhound Adoption, 39 Rocky Ridge Road, Fairfax, VT 05454 or to St. Francis Xavier School, 5 St. Peter Street, Winooski, VT 05404, where she was loved by many.