Joyce Marilyn (Volante) Steele

Joyce M. Steele (Jeff)

Joyce Steele, 89, fondly known as Jeff, died peacefully in her home on June 21 with her family at her side. Born on March 1, 1928 in Stamford, CT, Joyce was the adored only child of Viola Webster and Robert Volante, who died when she was two, and later of her adoptive father, Carl M. Tuthill. As her mother rose to the challenge of those years, Joyce emerged as a curious, intelligent, fun-loving, resilient girl who understood the power of a loving family. She also picked up the life-long nickname of Jeff.

She graduated from Jackson College at Tufts University in 1949, and married Donald F. Steele in 1951. They traveled the country with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, living in 3 cities in 4 years, making life-long friends. When they arrived in Cohasset, MA in 1955, Jeff declared it “home.”

Jeff’s life revolved around her beloved husband Don, their children and spouses, Nina and John Wellford Price, of Hingham, MA, Randy and Andrea Steele of Scituate, MA, and Laurie and George Daniels, of Keene Valley, NY, her dear friends and her town. She was a Girl Scout leader and an invaluable volunteer for the Sandy Beach Assoc., Social Service League, Cohasset Historical Society, Second Congregational Church, and Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. She loved to entertain, travel, ski, play tennis and golf, but her favorite places were Sandy Beach and her beautiful home.

Kind, generous, and elegant, Jeff was a role model and mother to many. She was the best Grammy ever to grandchildren and spouses Jan and Meg Wellford, Katie and Dan Seidman, Derek and Brooke, Michael and Haley Steele, and Aiden Daniels, and to her 4 great-grandchildren. Jeff lived every day to the fullest, and with joy.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 10 at 5:00 pm at Second Congregational Church on Cohasset Common, with a reception to follow in the church hall. Please consider a gift in celebration of Jeff’s life to the the Social Service League of Cohasset, Atlantic Symphony or the Sandy Beach Association. 

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