Joyce H. (Sanjian) Forner

Troy - Joyce H. Forner, 84, died Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland after a brief but courageous fight with cancer. 

Born and raised in Troy, NY, Joyce, a proud Armenian-American, was the daughter of the late Setrak Sanjian and Sarah Bedrosian Sanjian. A graduate of Troy High School and student at Hudson Valley Community College, Joyce resided in Troy all her life, presiding over her neighborhood from her front porch like the Queen she was. 

Joyce was employed as a Tax Compliance Rep for the New York State Department of Labor and as a real estate broker with Bryce Realty in Troy. A staunch Democrat, Joyce  regularly served as an election inspector. As a volunteer, she worked tirelessly for AARP NY, often lobbying the NY State Assembly. She sold dried flower arrangements and custom jewelry she designed at her own business, Petite Joy Handicrafts, and taught art classes to children as part of Troy's Frear Park arts initiative. She also was an active member of the Troy Senior Center, the Birchkill Arts and Crafts Guild, and the Rensselaer County Council for the Arts.

An artist and traveler, Joyce loved her family, friends, dessert before dinner, and a good laugh. She never met a kid she didn't like. She was always the life of the party.    

Survivors include her daughter Alison (Martha); her sister Rosemary DuBois; her brother-in-law Dominic Rotondi; her extended family including multiple nieces and nephews; and numerous beloved neighbors and friends. She was predeceased by her siblings, Alice Ann Rotondi, Lucille Babikian, and Henry Sanjian.

Joyce's relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 9:30 -10:30 AM, with a service to follow at 10:30 AM by Rev. Edward Kacerguis. 

Internment will be at Elmwood Hill Cemetery in Troy.

Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center for the care she received during the end of her illness. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Joyce H. Forner to the Lustgarten Foundation, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797 (www.lustgarten.org).

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