Our dear mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by love, on June 17, 2023 after a brave fight with cancer. She was 22 days shy of 99 years of age at the time of her death.

Joyce’s story begins in Malone, NY to Norman Bessette and Elizabeth Mannix. She was the oldest of four children. She grew up in upstate NY as the daughter of a railroad man (Norman). The Bessette children knew adversity early in life, as their mother died when Joyce was just 6 years old. She was always an excellent student and a friend to anyone she met. After high school, she moved to New York City and attended Kings County Hospital diploma nursing school, where she became a registered nurse. During her nursing career she worked in many different areas, but the work she was most proud of was her time in the operating room. She stayed at home to raise her children for a number of years and did eventually go back to nursing when she was in her 60’s. Joyce loved this profession! She loved it so much she worked as a home health nurse until she was 88 years old!

When Joyce was 20 years old, she met the love of her life, Joseph Cusmano. In true love story fashion, she was working as a nurse and he was a medical school resident at Kings County Hospital. They later married (1954) and had their four children. The family lived in New Jersey until 1972, at which time they moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Joyce was always active with caring for her home and her family, but also volunteered with various organizations throughout the years.

Caring was the fabric of who she was. A true caregiver at heart, she always placed the needs of her family ahead of her own. She has been described by those who love her as patient, constant, reliable, strong, resilient, sensible, nurturing, smart, and most of all loving. She was the glue that held her family together.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Norman, her sister Helen, and her husband of 52 years, Dr. Joseph Cusmano. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Joseph Jr. (Cindy), Robert (Julie), Richard, and Nancy (Paul), her sister Claire Whitney, her grandchildren Robert, Ana, Kathryn, Joseph, Alexandra, and Piper, one great grandchild, Stella, as well as a multitude of beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A Mass in her honor will be held on August 5, 2023 at 12:30 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, (5201 Military Trail, Pompano Beach, FL 33064), with a reception to follow at Patrizia’s of NYC (1544 SE 3rd Ct. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to Pup Squad Animal Rescue (pupsquad.org) or by check, which can be mailed to 448 W 19th Street, #262, Houston, TX, 77008.

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