Mrs. Joyce A. (Harnois) Christiansen, of Taunton, died Saturday, February 15, 2014 following a lengthy illness. She was the beloved wife of Eugene L. Christiansen for 48 years. She was born August 5, 1943 in Springfield, Ma., the daughter of the late Xavier and Rita (Bellavance) Harnois. A city resident for most of her life, Joyce was educated in Taunton, having graduated from the former St. Mary’s High School, and was also a graduate of Bryant College in Providence, R.I. Prior to her retirement, she had been employed as a teacher at Seekonk High School for 36 years. She was previously employed at Johnson and Wales College in Providence, R.I. Joyce was a member of the Miss Taunton Scholarship Committee for 28 years and served as Business Manager for many Miss Tauntons over the years. She served as past President of the Seekonk Teachers Association for many years. She was also the Costume Designer and seamstress for the Star Players of Taunton for years. Joyce enjoyed teaching for the Arthur Murray Ballroom Dance Studio, and competed in many Ballroom Dance competitions. Her passion was sewing and costuming at the Carole Miller School of Dance, as well as at her daughter’s Studio "C" Dance Academy, where she was known as “Auntie Joyce.” She participated in many community events over the years, and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a communicant of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in Taunton.
In addition to her husband, she leaves, one son: Cameron Christiansen of E. Taunton; one daughter, Christine Christiansen Desjarlais of E. Taunton; one brother, Ronald X. Harnois of Taunton; three grandchildren: Erin Joyce Christiansen, Olivia Leigh Desjarlais, and Brayden Matthew Christiansen. Also, two brothers-in-law, Robert and Missy Christiansen, and Michael and Christina Christiansen; four sisters-in-law, Kathy (Christiansen) Rhoda, Sandy (Christiansen) and Charlie Mullens, Mary (Christiansen) and Al Kennedy, and Ann (Christiansen) and Dean Rader, Sr., and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay Street, on Thursday, February 20 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in St. Jude the Apostle Church at 10:00 A.M. Internment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.