LACONIA ---- Joyce Eleanor (Olsen) Papps, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, while in the caring hands of the Merrimack County Nursing Home.
Joyce was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose wit, warmth, and unmistakable spunk left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She was born on July 22, 1938, in Laconia, New Hampshire, to Eleanor and Fred Olsen, who preceded her in death. Joyce was deeply proud of her Norwegian heritage, a part of her identity she carried with pride and joy, and she especially enjoyed connecting with family from Norway when they visited.
Joyce shared 64 loving years of marriage with her devoted husband, Bruce Papps. Together they built a family filled with love and laughter. Along with her husband, she is survived by her children: Debbie Papps and her wife, Amy Walsh; Karen Seymour and her husband, Michael; and Dexter Smith. She was a proud grandmother to Samantha Lyle and her husband, Cameron, and she was joyfully anticipating the arrival of her great-granddaughter in March 2026. Joyce is also survived by her sister, Judy Floyd, and her husband, Paul, as well as her nieces, Kristin and Julie.
For more than 30 years, Joyce dedicated herself to the Town of Gilford, serving as Town Clerk and Tax Collector—a role she fulfilled with integrity, commitment, and care for her community.
Joyce embraced life fully. She loved skiing, line dancing, baking, working on puzzles, and attending concerts at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. She treasured winter travels to Florida and delighted in time spent with family, friends, and her beloved grand dogs and grand cat.
Strong-willed, fiercely loyal, and full of heart, Joyce was a woman who stood up for those she loved and cared for deeply. She will be remembered as a strong woman who fought for and fiercely loved those she cared about.
She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 10:00am at Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH. Flowers may be sent to Gilford Community Church.
A reception will follow in the church function hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Lakes Region Mental Health Center, 40 Beacon Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.