Joy Aleta Wolff passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Joy was born to Blanche and Robert Smith on February 18, 1938. She grew up in Bridgton and was well known as a cheerleader and majorette. Joy won two state championships and appeared several times on TV for baton and fire baton twirling. After graduating from Bridgton High School, Joy worked in Connecticut and then Washington, D.C. where she met Frank Wolff. They married on March 9, 1958,
and lived in Texas while Frank attended college. Over the next 20 years, they would move 24 times across the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda.

In 1978, Joy and her four daughters moved back to her childhood home in Bridgton to be with their extensive family. Throughout the years, Joy would spend many happy hours with cousins retelling stories from days gone by, living new adventures and creating new memories.

Anyone who knew Joy would tell you what a hard worker she was. Joy worked as a veterinarian assistant, a sorter at Saunders Dowel Mill and a librarian assistant in various local towns. For more than 35 years, Joy could also be found working at the Orange Gate at the Fryeburg Fair.

In the spring of 1989, Joy began planting Christmas trees in her upper field, and in November of 2000 she opened Trees of Joy. Even while working other jobs she managed to prune and care for her trees, continuing to do so well into her 70s. For years Joy was pleased to supply her extended family with beautiful Christmas trees, and offering local folks affordable prices.

Holidays and family were important to Joy. Every year, including the year she died, Joy hosted Thanksgiving dinner. Every grandchild understood that Thanksgiving was the holiday that had to be spent at Grammy Joy’s; a fact that was relayed to spouses as the family expanded. No matter how crowded it got, there was always room for one more at the table.

Joy loved animals. She was never without a dog, and often she had a couple. Until recent years, there were always a few cats curled up on her chairs as well. Her ample yard was home to geese, chickens, ducks, goats, a pony, a burro and more throughout the years.

Having grown up on a farm Joy always had an appreciation for vegetables fresh from the garden. She also had an insatiable sweet tooth, and ice cream was one of her favorites. Many of her final days included trips to sample the wares of local ice cream shops. Her last meal was a banana split.

Joy is survived by her four daughters: Deborah Martin; Mary (Lorrie) Boucher and her husband Jan; Kathleen DeVoe and her husband Mark; and Cindy Fontana and her husband John. She will be missed by 10 grandchildren: Jessica Mallaghan, Danica Johnston, Leanna Breen, Robert Martin, Alyssa Hawkins, Megan Lettre, Savannah DeVoe, Marcus DeVoe, Delia Fontana, Alicia Fontana and their spouses. Joy also had seven great-grandchildren and was looking forward to the arrival of another in August. Many cousins, extended family and friends will grieve her passing as well.

The family would like to thank the many folks who went above and beyond to help Joy with her tenacious three-month battle with cancer.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, June 14, 6-8 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 15 at 3 p.m.. Both will be held at 150 Dugway Road in Bridgton.

Contributions in Joy’s memory may be made to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg, Maine 04037

Condolences and tributes may be shared with Joy’s family at www.hallfuneralhome.net.