Joyce Bunn

Joyce Bunn (Swan), affectionately known as “Me Mother,” “Mommy,” and “Grandma,” passed away peacefully at home on July 20, 2025, at the age of 93. She was born in Manhattan in 1932 and raised and lived on Long Island all her life. Joyce was the beloved daughter of her parents, the late Ishmael and Viola Swan. A proud graduate of Bayshore High School, Joyce went on to lead a modest and varied secular life, working at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, Zorn’s Poultry Farm, South Nassau Communities Hospital, and caretake for the wife of Senator Norman J. Levy. Joyce also worked in the catering industry. Whether at work, home or in her community, Joyce brought energy, joy, and strength to everything she did.

Joyce will be remembered for her deep love of family, and her insistence on making sure her children were educated. She made sure they learned to swim, try new foods, and engage in music, sports, and culture. Her life was a testimony to her loyalty, strength, humor, and boundless affection.

Joyce was a woman of remarkable resilience, having lost her mother at a young age. Despite life’s challenges, she had a strong spirit, and an often-unexpected sense of humor. For example, she often joked about her deteriorating eyesight. When the DMV would not renew her driver’s license she said, “I don’t understand the problem, the only thing I can’t see is traffic lights and people.”

Joyce was very active throughout her life, enjoying soccer, ping pong, volleyball, field hockey, baseball, and basketball. She even took up cornhole in her 80s. For several years she enjoyed exercise classes at the Copiague Public Library along with sisters from her congregation. Her love for life extended into many hobbies and passions. She loved music, even playing in the high school orchestra. She could sing along to every song from her era. She loved Kingdom Melodies. They helped her relax, whether at home or in the hospital. She spent time drawing, having a natural ability for pencil sketches — if she saw you, she could draw you. She was known for her crocheting, knitting, and extensive doll collection, even attending doll shows. She loved all flowers and plants. Her house was full of plants.

Her cooking abilities were extensive. Barbara favored her mother’s shell pasta with broccoli and chicken. Isaac loved his mother’s pancakes and her streusel swirl Bundt cake. Bruce enjoyed his mother’s pasta. It was a treat to eat her specialty pasta, Orzo.

Joyce loved to travel. She traveled frequently for work and to see family. Her work often took her to Lake George, NY and Boca Raton, FL. Her family visits took her to Virginia, Texas, and New Jersey. Her local travels included regular leisure trips to different beaches to enjoy Jehovah’s creation. She had a favorite Diner in Amityville Village where she went for coffee and fried fish. You had to watch her though, because if you turned your head she would add extra salt to the fish despite her high blood pressure. She loved ice cream. Mr. Softie was her best friend and, because of her, Mr. Softie’s regular stop was in front of her house. She would even treat the neighborhood children to ice cream. In her later years, when she wouldn’t eat anything else, she would still eat ice cream.

Joyce found special comfort in the loving touch of her family. A soft head rub or a tender massage was more than just care — it was connection, love, and presence.

Joyce was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1997. Her decision followed a moving experience at a convention in Texas, where she finally felt she belonged. Her spiritual commitment remained a vital part of her life. Despite advancing age and declining health she always attended meetings, assemblies and conventions, in person, until the COVID-19 pandemic. At congregation meetings she was a regular fixture in the back row with her “buddies.” During and after the pandemic, she continued to regularly attend meetings on Zoom.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Isaac Bunn II, her son-in-law, Anthony C. Miles, and 4 great grandchildren. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Barbara Bunn-Miles, Isaac Bunn III, and Bruce Bunn and his wife, Andrea; 5 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; the Canton Family; and a host of devoted spiritual brothers and sisters.

She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by those who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

Memorial Service Saturday, August 2nd 2025 at 3:30pm:

Zoom ID: 826 2205 2000

Password: 1935

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