Joyeuse Gile Cavaney88, died Monday, July 18, 2011 at her home in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 16 February 1923. She was the daughter of Archie B. Gile of Hanover, New Hampshire, and Mary Gray of New York City.

Joy was a graduate of Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Briar Cliff Junior College, in 1943. A lifelong resident of Hanover, Joy was a nursery school teacher in the Hanover school. She married Edward M. Cavaney of Boise, Idaho, on 5 August 1943, and lived at her 3 Choate Road residence until she moved to her new home at Woodlands at Harvest Hill in Lebanon in 2010.

She has been a lifelong volunteer for Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and Member of the Board of Overseers for Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital. Recognized by her community for her philanthropic efforts, Joy has been a supporter of the local animal rescue league, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the 4GoodPawz of Lebanon, the Dartmouth College Alumni Fund, the Upper Valley United Way, New Hampshire Public Television, St. Thomas Church, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and the New Hampshire Visiting Nurse's Alliance.

Joy was a great contributor in her community and she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is survived by her two sons Peter Cavaney of Jonesport, Maine, and William Cavaney of Anchorage, Alaska, and three grandchildren: Elise Cavaney of Charleston, South Carolina, and Joy and Estella Cavaney of Anchorage, Alaska. In 2008, Joy received the commendation for her great spirit from Governor John H. Lynch, upon the occasion of her 85th birthday. Joy died peacefully in her sleep with her beloved yellow lab, Duncan, faithfully by her side.

Visitation will be held at the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home on School Street in Hanover, NH on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hanover, NH at 4:00 PM. A reception will follow in the Hayward Lounge of the Hanover Inn. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society, HC 63 Box 52A, Lebanon, NH 03766.