Joyce Dalling passed away on April 30, 2025, at the age of 80. She was born on June 2, 1944, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She attended Shelton High School where she was a proud cheerleader. She married the love of her life, Skip Dalling in 1986.
She worked at Strawberry Hollow Farms in Guilford for many years. She was known for her fiery spirit, bold personality and talkative nature. She was a very sociable person, striking up conversations with strangers and making them feel like best friends, thus enhancing the quality of lives that she has touched.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Henry “Skip” Dalling and her children and their spouses, Diana and Ron Johnson, Douglas and Yvette Fogg, Kim Heath, Keith and Michelle Dalling, Holly and Paul Dudak and Tim and Carol Dalling. As well as 16 grandchildren and their spouses, Danielle, Jesse, Dakota, Lindsey, Cody, Colemann, Katie, Jessica, Henry Jr, Harry, Kelsey, Travis, Wils, Vanessa, Danielle and Rachel. She also had 11 great grandchildren, Kainan, Cassius, Nolan, Eleanor, Aaron, Tyler, Isaiah, Lydia, Kiely, Ryder, Jaiden, 2 nieces and her precious cat, Whiskers.
She is predeceased by her mother, Marion Lombardo, sister, Diane Smith and son, William Dalling.
She was a passionate sports enthusiast, with an unwavering devotion to the UCONN women basketball team. She loved golfing and going out to dinner with the Brookside Girls where laughter and lasting memories were always on the menu. She was rarely seen without her dearest friend, Mary Andrews, known as part of the “Three Musketeers”.
She found joy in the simple wonders of life: bird watching brought her peace, (except when she was chasing squirrels away!) She took immense pride in her vibrant flower gardens. True to her feisty disposition, she loved to accessorize with her signature “bling-bling”, adding glitter to every single day.
Christmas was her favorite time of the year, when she went all out on festive decorations, spoiling her grandchildren with gifts and creating magical moments that brought the family together. Like clockwork, every evening at 4 o’clock, she would savor a glass of wine (or two!)- a small but cherished ritual that reflected her appreciation for life’s little pleasures. She will forever be remembered as a vivacious woman with a sparkle in her soul that will never be replicated nor forgotten.
Memorial Service will be on Friday May 9, 2025, from 11am to 2pm at Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin Street, Ansonia, CT 06401 with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Brookside Inn in Oxford, CT. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to be made in her name to Whiskers Pet Rescue at 134 Main Street South, PO box 367, Southbury, CT 06488 www.whiskerspetrescue.org.
