Joyceann Fitzgerald-Guill

Joyceann Fitzgerald-Guill died peacefully on November 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Joyceann was born in Manchester, NH, on July 7, 1949, the beloved only child of Francis S Fitzgerald and Theresa Lally Fitzgerald. She resided in Manchester until moving to Bedford in 1995. She graduated from Saint Raphael Grammar School Class of 1963, and Immaculata High School Class of 1967. Joyceann obtained her B.A. degree from Mount Saint Mary College in 1971 and her M.A. degree in Special Education from Boston College in 1976.

Joyceann was an educator in the Manchester School District for 36 years. She initially served on the faculty at Parkside Junior High School. After obtaining her degree in Special Education, she began her tenure at Central High School where she was instrumental in the development of the Learning Disabilities Program and the Special Education Resource Room. Upon her retirement from the Manchester School District in 2007 she served as an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University.

Joyceann was an active member of the ADK-Alpha Chapter Educators’ Sorority during the chapter’s existence. She held membership in NEA-New Hampshire and the Manchester Area Retired Educators Association where she served on the board. In 1976, she proudly walked the picket line during the MEA strike, where she met many lifelong friends.

Joyceann was married to J. Talley Guill for 37 years with whom she created a loving home in which to raise their son, PJ Guill. Joyceann often said that PJ was the greatest gift she received in life.

Joyceann took great pleasure in decorating for every holiday and cooking for every occasion. She carried on the tradition of baking the family Irish bread recipe. She generously shared her home and cooking talents with family and friends. There was always a seat at her table.

Joyceann was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, niece, cousin, friend and loving caregiver. She maintained lifelong relationships with friends from grammar school, high school and college. Joyceann always put others’ needs above her own. She was a fierce advocate throughout her life for her family, her friends and her students, especially her special education students. She enjoyed working on political campaigns and made it a goal to live until November 5, 2024, so her absentee ballot would count.

A devout Catholic, Joyceann was a communicant at both Saint Raphael Church in Manchester and St. Elizabeth Seton in Bedford. She previously served on the Saint Raphael Parish Council.

Joyceann is survived by her husband, J. Talley Guill, her son, Patrick-Joseph Fitzgerald Guill, and her cousins Peter Lally (wife Ann) and Margaret-Ann Moran. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Patty Guill, Dr. Maryann Couch (husband Jim), Ninabeth Sowell (husband Judson) and by her brother-in-law Jeffery Guill. Her nieces and nephews include: Jarret Guill (wife Christy), Lee Guill (wife Kristyn), John Couch, Katherine Couch, Laura Beth Couch, Benjamin Sowell and Aiden Guill.

Calling hours at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St, Manchester, will be Friday from 4 to 7 pm. A live stream of the visiting hours will be available at www.lambertfuneralhome.com. An additional hour of visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 9 to 10 am in St. Elizabeth Seton Church.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 am in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Meetinghouse Road, Bedford. A live stream of the funeral Mass will be available at www.stelizabethsetonchurch.org. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford. 

 To view the livestream for Joyceann's calling hours please use this link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hMn2T1unqteWtVgL5B3x8UuwhrVomJVu/view?usp=sharing

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joyceann’s name may be made to the Saint Raphael Parish Food Pantry (103 Walker Street, Manchester, NH 03102).