TOPSFIELD - Joyce Ann Bergsten, Topsfield Legend and Brooksby Resident, 94 years old, passed away comfortably at Beverly Hospital surrounded by her loving family on March 2, 2023.

Joyce is survived by her three sons, David Bergsten and his wife Joanne, Daniel Bergsten and his wife Kel, and Christopher Bergsten and his wife Melissa, and her beloved grandchildren, Keatyn, Chelsey, Kaylee, Samuel, and Suzanna Bergsten.

Joyce's early years were during the depression in Ohio.  Her family was active in Church, where Joyce sang in the choir.  To get through the depression she developed a "Yankee" mentality with focus on friends/family that she passed on to her sons and grandchildren.  She met her late husband Lenn in 1953 and they built their first house with all hand tools while residing there for 8 years.  She taught elementary school until David was born.  They ultimately moved to Topsfield in 1963.

Joyce is now officially a full-fledged Topsfield legend.  This brief eulogy will not do justice to all of her service, but each of you have special memories.   She influenced so many as a grade schoolteacher for over 30 years.  She was a longtime member of the Congregational Church of Topsfield where she served on many boards.  The environment was very important to her and evident in her teaching/annual children's arbor day leadership, and service on the Conservation Commission.  One of her favorite places to take her students and walk and x-cross country ski was the Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield.  One of her many passions included the Topsfield Historical Society where she led tours of the Parson Capen House (1683), created/maintained the Priscilla Capen Herb Garden with her friends, and led an annual doll/tea party for all the children in town.  Her accomplishments and contributions to all are evident in her many awards and recognitions that she humbly accepted including the annual Wallace Kneeland Community Award in 1993, and having a tree planted at Steward School on her teaching retirement.

Most of all we will always remember her as the best Mom and Grammy.

ARRANGEMENTS: Joyce's memorial service will be held at the Topsfield Congregational Church at 11:00 am on Thursday March 9, 2022.  It will be followed by a brief private family internment, and a Celebration of her life at the Gould Barn (Parson Capen House, Topsfield) across the common that all are welcome and encouraged to join. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Joyce's memory to the Topsfield Congregational Church Missions and Outreach Fund and/or the Mass. Audubon, C/O Children's Programs at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983 (one of her favorite places). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Topsfield Congregational Church Missions and Outreach Fund
9 E Common St., Topsfield MA 01983

Mass Audubon C/O Children's Programs at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
87 Perkins Row, Topsfield MA 01983
Web: https://web.massaudubon.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3069&mfc_pref=T&3069.donation=form1