Joyce Ann (Okuley) Poulson, age 84, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026. She spent her final days lovingly surrounded by her devoted children Mary, Sharon, Barbara and Jim, her son-in-law Don and daughter-in-law to be Stacy, her wonderful care team at Sunrise of Bridgewater, who have always treated her with respect, kindness and love, and her compassionate Grace hospice nurses.

Born on December 19, 1941, to Leo and Edna (Westrick) Okuley of New Bavaria, Ohio, she grew up on her parents' farm and graduated from Holgate High School in 1959. She continued her education at the Saint Ritas Hospital School of Nursing in Lima, Ohio, obtaining her nursing degree in 1962.

As a registered nurse, she attended to thousands of patients not only in hospitals, but also while working as an RN in both physician and ophthalmology offices. Her instinct to care for others even continued for a time at her memory care community in Whippany, as she could often be found sitting in the rooms of those whose health was failing, watching over them.

Very active in her community, Joyce was an accomplished singer in high school, sang in the church choir for many years, and was a member of the Alter Rosary Society and the Catholic Ladies of Columbia. She enjoyed playing golf in several women's leagues, and hit the lanes as a member of league mixed and doubles bowling for many years. She loved playing cards with her local bridge club, where she would compete in surrounding states and even go on bridge cruises to the Caribbean.

A kind and caring soul, Joyce loved to garden, decorate and go to flea markets and movies. She planted beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers in her yard, spending many hours with a shovel in hand during the spring and summer months. Her hobbies included collecting and proudly displaying antique ceramic ducks, figurines, dishes and Fostoria Coin glass.

A constant fixture at her children's swim meets and sporting events, she cheered them on as they grew up and proudly displayed their many ribbons, medals and trophies in her living room. She also supported her grandchildren in many ways, rooting them on alongside their parents at their sporting or academic events, and proudly sitting in the bleachers at their school plays, concerts and graduations. Like Joyce, her family loves a good competition, and she often gathered her adult children around the kitchen table for a spirited game of Texas Hold'em on many a weekend, usually taking the pot!

Joyce always made holidays special. Thanksgiving was a feast with her famous "GeeGee" stuffing and pies, while birthdays for her grandchildren were delightful because of her creatively themed gifts. Whether her family was flying spring kites and having Easter eggs hunts in her and Frankie's yard, or making a toast at her impeccably decorated Christmas table, she was the centerpiece, heart and home of her large family.

Joyce is also survived by another daughter, Teresa Poulson, and lovingly survived by her eight grandchildren Ashley, Ryan, Owen, Mackinnon, Susie, Meredith, Everett, and Landon; her step-grandchild Evan; her three great-grandchildren Max, Nora and Finn; her brothers Kevin and Ben Okuley; and a host of nieces and nephews, in-laws, cousins, and friends.

Joyce is predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Francis Xavier Poulson; her parents Leo and Edna Okuley; her brothers, Daniel, Tom, Mike and Gerald Okuley, and sisters Peggy Okuley and Janet (Okuley) Otto; and her beloved pets Misty, Lady and Tasha.

She will be greatly missed and will always be deeply loved and remembered by her family.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 2pm-4pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876. Committal is private.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Nature Conservancy or the Alzheimer's Association.