Joyce Bressem's Obituary
Joyce Marie (McKinstry) Bressem, 80, of Spring Hill, passed away on January 27, 2026, in the company of her two daughters. Born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, on January 2, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Leonard McKinstry and Lorraine (Vincent) McKinstry Gallant.
Joyce lived most of her life in Massachusetts, where she owned thrift stores in Worcester and in Palmer for many years before later becoming a barber. Her true calling in life, however, was helping others. She demonstrated this through her years as a foster mother to numerous children, including her nephew, Joseph.
Joyce enjoyed playing cards, going to the movies, thrifting and yard‑saling, sewing, making jewelry, and spending time with her family and friends. She felt deeply blessed to be a grandmother (“Grandma Honey”) to Jason Dimitropolis and his wife Cara; Sean Dimitropolis and his partner Christopher; Carlie Glanville; and John Glanville. She was also a proud great‑grandmother (“GG Honey”) to Vada and Ettie.
She is survived by her children, Brenda Tibbetts and her husband Raymond of Hudson, FL, and Bonnie Bressem of Trenton, OH; her sister, Karen Gauthier, and her husband Marc; her brothers, Joseph; Neal and his wife Connie; and Glenn and his husband Steven. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
Joyce is preceded in death by brothers, Leonard (David) and Michael; and her granddaughter, Chelsea Tibbetts.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Joyce by doing something kind for a neighbor or even a stranger—pay it forward.
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