Joy M. Lackey

Joy M. (McNabb) Lackey, 74, of Gardner, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in UMass Memorial Medical Center—University Campus, Worcester.

Born in Butte, Montana, on December 15, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Roland and Marie (LeBlanc) McNabb. She graduated from Watchung Hills High School, Warren Township, NJ, with the Class of 1965. Joy was a Nurse's Aide employed by Gardner Manor for several years. She was previously employed by Securitas as a Security Officer.

Joy was a congregant of Higher Ground Ministries of Gardner, where she was a greeter and was a volunteer at Heywood Hospital of Gardner. Growing up as a military child on Great Falls Mountain Air Force Base, she learned to appreciate the American flag but also the country in which it represents. She loved to paint—especially paint by numbers and playing cards. Joy loved going on adventures and looking at the leaves during the change from summer to fall. But the time that Joy loved and cherished the most was spent with her family.

Joy is survived by a daughter, Marie E. Lackey and her fiancé Gerard Cribbie of Gardner; three sons, Jerry T. Lackey of Keene, NH, Theodore L. Lackey and his wife Heather Sevigny-Lackey of Barre and Dennis W. Lackey of Gardner; six grandchildren, Keith W. Lackey, Keianna M. Lackey, Chandler E. Lackey, Corbin R. Lackey, Evan E. Lackey, and Emily M. Lackey; three great-grandchildren, Ilyanna Lynch, Jayden McFadden-Lackey and Cayden Lackey; nieces and nephews, Christopher and Kristien McNabb, Sonya Reed and Craig Freehauf; several cousins; and her beloved dog, Rusty.

She was predeceased by her son, George W. Lackey, III; and a brother Gerald T. McNabb.

Funeral Services will be announced and held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Gardner Relay for Life, 43 Nagog Park, Suite 110, Acton, MA 01720. Please reference in memory of Joy M. Lackey.