HALLOWELL – Joyce Arlene (Carter) Vickery, 90, of Hallowell passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Kennebec Assisted Living and Respite Care in Farmingdale, ME. Aubrey Carter, Sr. and Goldie (Martin) Carter of Hancock welcomed Joyce, the youngest of eight children, on January 21, 1936. Although Joyce spent the majority of her life in Hallowell, her family was important to her, and she made frequent trips to Hancock to visit her parents, siblings, and other relatives.

Joyce grew up on a family farm that adjoined Carter’s Beach on Taunton Bay. She attended Hancock elementary school and Sumner High School, graduating in 1954. While in high school, she participated in cheerleading and school plays and played on the softball team. While taking the business coursework, her teacher encouraged her to take the State of Maine examination for clerk/typist, which led to a job in Augusta after high school.

In Augusta she met Robert Vickery, and the two were married at Hancock Congregational Church on January 29, 1956. They made their home in Hallowell and welcomed three children. The family lived in Hancock for eight years and moved back to Hallowell in 1973.

She worked to advance her education and progressed to positions of greater responsibility with the State of Maine and in the private sector. Her career culminated as Personnel Agent for the Maine Department of Defense and Veterans’ Services before her retirement. Joyce believed in the basic virtues of thrift, hard work, and perseverance which she applied to her personal and professional life. The dedication and commitment she brought to her work were evident in her numerous accomplishments and the respect of her colleagues.

Joyce was full of fun and verve, whether canoeing, hiking, mountain climbing, swimming and having water fights, hopping on a pogo stick, or during family gatherings and celebrations. She applied herself to creative pursuits such as painting and sewing, especially many little girls’ dresses that would “twirl.” She enjoyed gardening and going to her grandchildren’s events. Her loss is felt deeply by her family and everyone who knew her.

She was predeceased by her husband Bob, after 67 years together, and all her siblings. She is survived by her son Donald (wife Patricia Turner) of Contoocook NH, daughter Linda (husband John) of Farmingdale ME, and son Michael (wife Laura) of Saco ME, as well as grandchildren Goldie Irvine (partner Manny Ramos) of Westbrook ME, Clara Ludwig (husband Kyle) of Providence RI, Maxwell Vickery (partner Olivia Burr) of Saco ME, and Pearl Vickery of Saco ME, and many nieces and nephews.

A family celebration of life will be held in Sullivan, ME at which Joyce and five of her siblings will be remembered and celebrated. Her ashes will be scattered in Frenchman’s Bay, as she wished.

We invite you to leave your memories and upload photos of Joyce to her memorial page at www.staplesfuneralhome.com Your thoughts and sentiments will provide comfort and serve a lasting tribute to her remarkable life.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.