Joyce (Whitten) Kansanniva

Ancestors

Descendants

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Biography

Joyce was born in Nova Scotia -- Effie had gone home to visit a sick relative -- but grew up at 35 Winter Street and later at 35 Brigham Park in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

She graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1937. This was the first year of the new FHS building, which remained the high school for over 60 years. It is now Academy Middle School.

Joyce told interesting stories about traveling with her brother "Buddy" (Edward Whitten) and her sisters up to Nova Scotia in the summers with their mother Effie. They trekked to Boston by train and then to Nova Scotia by ship. Once there they were met by their extended family, many of whom still did not have running water.

Kal and Joyce were married August 29, 1940, the same anniversary date as her parents (and Bea and Bob Laserte). They were married at the Highland Baptist Church in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The reception was held at her parents' house on Winter Street.

Kal attended the State Teachers College in North Adams, Massachusetts, after the war, so they were living North Adams in the late 1940s.

While living in Acton Center, Mass., Beck (Bartlett) Nally rented a room of the large house that Kal and Joyce were living in. The connection was teaching. Kal was teaching in Acton and Aunt Beck was as well. This connection led to the introduction of Beck's sister Millie to Joyce's brother Edward.

They moved to Westford, Mass., in 1950 and lived out their lives together there.

Joyce is buried at the Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard.

Sources

• Recollections of sister-in-law Rebecca (Bartlett) Nally.