Joyce Dintzner

Joyce Fidelia Joslin Dintzner, of Westfield, MA, died on January 11, 2025, at the age of 80. The cause of her death was related to complications associated with multiple sclerosis. Joyce was born in Montpelier, Vermont on June 11, 1944, daughter of the late Ralph and Elizabeth (Murray) Joslin, and was the fourth of five children. Joyce was raised in Waitsfield, Vermont, graduating with honors from Waitsfield High School in 1962. Growing up, Joyce was a member of The Federated Church in Waitsfield, where she sang in the choir and was a substitute organist. Joyce attended the Hartt School of Music as an undergraduate and ultimately received a degree in education from Westfield State College in 1970. She later earned a master’s degree from Cambridge College and a CAGS from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Education was Joyce's calling, but music was her passion, and Joyce was lucky enough to fulfill both. Joyce began her distinguished career in 1972 as a first and second grade teacher in a three-room schoolhouse in Sandisfield, MA before taking a position as a third-grade teacher at the Consolidated School in Southwick the following year. Joyce began teaching music at both the Consolidated School and at Woodland School, also in Southwick, from 1980 to her retirement from the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District in 2006. While teaching at Woodland, Joyce directed many holiday concerts, which included performances by all the students in the school from kindergarten to the fourth grade. One of Joyce's most well-known accomplishments at Woodland was directing The Nutcracker Ballet musical. This yearly production was acted out by the fourth-grade students and was a true community effort - set design, choreography, costumes and makeup were all made possible with the assistance of parents and other very dedicated volunteers (including Joyce's devoted husband, Dennis!). The Nutcracker's popularity required the development of new parts for students and two run times - one in the morning and one in the evening - to accommodate two casts. While at Woodland, Joyce also co-developed a music program in partnership with Westfield State College to provide high-achieving fourth graders instrument lessons, taught by students in the music program at the college. She also briefly directed the Show Choir at Southwick High School.
Joyce was very involved in bringing the joy of music to her greater community. She was active in the church choir at the Second Congregational Church in Westfield and briefly directed a youth choir there in addition to performing in other musical endeavors at the church. Joyce was also an assistant director and performer for a regional chapter of the Sweet Adelines International women’s barbershop and a capella group.
Joyce leaves behind the love of her life, her husband Dennis. Joyce and Dennis met on a blind date and were married on March 13, 1965 - truly love at first sight. Joyce is survived by her two cherished daughters: Holly (John) O'Connor of Yorktown, New York, and Jocelyn (Stephen) McLean of Lithia, Florida. Joyce is also survived by four grandchildren, whom she loved dearly and enjoyed spending time with: Alexis, Ronan, Hailey, and Finian. Joyce also leaves many dear nephews and nieces. Joyce is survived by her sisters Virginia Joslin Beal of West Springfield and Marcia Sansoucy of Blandford. She is predeceased by her brother Reverend Ervin Joslin of Ocala, Florida and sister Jean Evenson of Panama City, Florida. A Funeral Home Service will be held Thursday January 30 at 11:30AM at the Toomey-O'Brien Funeral Home 1043 Westfield St West Springfield with burial to follow in the Mass Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. A calling hour will be from 10:30-11:30. Donations may be made to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Joyce's memory.