Southington – Joyce M. Recchia, 68, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Joyce was born in Waterbury on May 20, 1957, daughter of the late Gerard and Jean (Lewandowski) Guillet. Raised in Thomaston, Joyce attended Thomaston schools and graduated from Thomaston High School. Her love of education brought her to earn her Bachelor’s from Post University in Political Science Legal Studies, an Associate’s in art from NCCC, Masters from SCSU in Political Science and Government, Masters from University of New Haven in Fire Science/Emergency Management, and a certificate in Paralegal from Boston University.

Joyce will be remembered for many things, including her love of art, hiking, and the beauty of nature; but most importantly, how much she loved and cared for every person in her life.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Stephen Recchia, and Liam O’Connor; her partner, John Bigham; her siblings, Roger Guillet, and his partner, Sharon Stone, Ruth Fields, Elaine Pont; her nieces and nephews, Marc, Michael, Scott, Dorene, Erika, and Kelsey; her former husband, Anthony Recchia; as well as other extended family and friends.

Including her parents, Joyce was predeceased by her son, Joshua Recchia.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lyons Funeral Home, 46 High Street, Thomaston. A funeral home service will be held at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joyce’s name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital at stjude.org, CT Humane Society at cthumane.org, or UConn Health Carole & Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at health.uconn.edu.

To leave notes of comfort for Joyce’s family, please visit her tribute wall at www.lyonsfuneralhome.com.