Fremont - Joyce L. Sanborn, 77, passed away unexpectedly on January 26, 2026, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Stephen A. Sanborn, to whom she had been married for 50 years.

Born in Haverhill, MA on May 21, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Wessell Henry and Lorraine Dorothy (Matthews) Blake.

Joyce was a graduate of Pentucket Regional High School, Class of 1967, and continued her education at Salem State College, earning a teaching degree in 1971. She began her career as a substitute teacher in Haverhill and Newburyport, MA, and Hampton, NH. Joyce later devoted herself to being a homemaker, where her greatest focus was raising her children. During those years, she also served as the bookkeeper for the family business, Sanborn Tire Sales in Haverhill, MA for a decade. Above all, Joyce cherished time with her family and found joy in trying new restaurants and traveling to favorite places, especially Ogunquit, ME, and Aruba. Summers at Hampton Beach shaped her early years and remained a constant source of comfort and joy throughout her life.

Besides her husband, Stephen, Joyce is survived by her three daughters, Kelly Sanborn of Brentwood, NH, Kristina Temple and her husband Mark of Brentwood, NH, Katelyn French and her husband Benjamin of Brentwood, NH; her sister, Linda Polansky and her husband Alan of North Hampton, NH; grandchildren, Regan Temple, Reese Temple, Thomas French, Henry French; nieces and nephews, Scott DesRoche, Deborah Pothier, Brian Polansky, Bradford Polansky, and Courtney Pierson. Joyce was the sister of the late Judith DesRoche.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill, MA 01830. Calling hours are Wednesday the 4th from 3 to 7 p.m. Interment to follow at Linwood Cemetery. Donations in Joyce's memory may be made to the charity of donor's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com.