Joyce A. Sargent

Joyce Ann Sargent passed away peacefully on July 24, 2024. Joyce was born 10 January 1936. She was a lifelong Rockford resident who graduated from East High School and then graduated from the University of Illinois, where she met and dated Norbert “Sarge” Sargent. After both graduated in 1957, they married on 1 February 1958 at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Rockford and began a lifelong journey together. 

During their 66-year marriage they raised three children, Cathy, David, and Susan. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, all of whom she dearly loved. She cherished family visits and gatherings. 

Joyce’s life vocation was being a wife, mother, and homemaker. The care and love she had for her family were always surrounded with grace and selflessness. Family and friends mattered most to her and she prioritized and cherished time with them. She loved to cook for her family and friends and her other favorite pastime was antiquing as evidenced by her vast collection of antiques and other collections to which she had accumulated a very full houseful over her lifetime. She loved to display seasonal exhibits in her home throughout the year. Her Italian strength and stubbornness were evident through the peaks and valleys of life meeting every opportunity and challenge head on. 

Joyce exuded joy, kindness, and love of life. She is remembered for her humility, her modesty, and grace, her compassion, her intellect, and wit. She was a faith-filled woman devoted to her Catholic faith. Whether it was saying the rosary or praying devotions she was a constant example of how to live out one’s Catholic faith in a selfless manner. She was a constant source of encouragement, understanding, and support for those around her. She was generous with her time for others and never too busy to visit, share a laugh, or lend a sympathetic ear to others. 

After raising her children, and 27 years of military life living around the world, she returned to Rockford in 1984 and spent where she spent their retirement years actively involved in numerous social and charitable activities to include – Rockford Women’s Club, Italian Dance Group, Delta Zeta Society, Holy Family Women’s guild, Catholic Women League, Antique Group, Chatty Red Hattie’s, Newcomers Club (as – President), and the Rockford Memorial Auxiliary Thrift Shop.

Joyce is preceded in death by her mother and father (Ann and Eito Poggioli); brother (Randall); and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joyce is survived by her husband Norbert “Sarge”, daughters Cathy Park (Richard), Susan Accardi (Joe), and son David Sargent (Virginia); grandchildren (Matt, Kris, Nick, Sarah, and Paul), and great grandchildren (Riley, Kylo, and an expected granddaughter).

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, a visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, with a Mass of Christian Burial being held at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford, IL 61107. A luncheon will immediately follow the Mass in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the United Services Organization (USO) or Wounded Warriors.