Joyce Pastor
Joyce Field Pastor, of Weston, Massachusetts, passed away on August 29, 2022 at 76 after a two-year battle against ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by close family and friends in her final days.
Born in 1946 in Cranston, Rhode Island, Joyce attended Hope High School in Providence. She then studied at Tufts University, where she received a BA majoring in early childhood studies. Years later, she completed a Master’s Degree at Wheelock College, where she studied early intervention in children with disabilities. Joyce founded an innovative daycare program called Mothers and Toddlers Together. For more than 15 years, this program helped numerous young families. In 1981, Joyce helped to found the Weston Childcare Association, which continues to help young families.
After her graduation from Tufts, Joyce married Dr. Bruce Pastor. They were married for almost fifty-five years. Together they had three children, Andy, Carrie, and Lauren. Andy passed away suddenly in an auto accident in 1988. After this tragedy, Joyce supported several causes to fulfill the Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam, which means “to heal the world.” During the height of the AIDS epidemic, she volunteered at the Boston Living Center. She was dedicated to Temple Shir Tikva, where she was the only person to serve three years as President. She had a strong interest in interfaith dialogue and understanding. She was a founding member of the Wayland Weston Interfaith Action Committee. Joyce promoted the close relationship between Temple Shir Tikva and the Islamic Center of Boston. She was involved for years in the Boston Jewish Film Festival and served as its Chair.
She and her husband, Bruce, helped to create the Andrew Pastor Park at Weston High School and the Andrew Pastor Memorial Garden at Temple Shir Tikva. She recently helped to create a scholarship program at Tufts University for students pursuing a path in Early Childhood studies.
Joyce was a devoted and loving wife to her husband Bruce. Joyce leaves her daughter Carrie Morenberg, her son-in-law Paul, and granddaughters Sarah and Juliet. She leaves her daughter Lauren Abrams, her son-in-law, Jason, and granddaughters Jordan and Taylor. She is predeceased by her son Andrew. She leaves her brother, Steven Field and sister-in-law, Debbie.
Joyce also leaves an enduring network of close friends. She enjoyed skiing at Loon Mountain. She also loved golfing at Belmont Country Club. She and Bruce enjoyed traveling and making friends throughout the world.
Memorial Service will be held at Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, MA on Thursday, September 1st at 11 AM. The service will also be Live Streamed.
A luncheon and reception will follow the service. Burial will be private by invitation only at nearby Linwood Cemetery in Weston.
A Shiva and evening service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 1st from 7-9 PM at Temple Shir Tikva. An additional Shiva will be held on Friday Sept. 2nd from 2-5 PM at her residence.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Joyce’s honor to Care Dimensions Hospice Program in Lincoln, MA or Temple Shir Tikva of Wayland, MA.