Joyce A. (Starzec) Faraci, 81, of Middletown, wife of Theodore Faraci, died Thursday February 8, 2024 at home surrounded by her family after a long battle with cancer.

She was born in New Britain, CT, the daughter of the late Thomas and Lucy (Ducki) Starzec.  She graduated Woodrow Wilson High School in 1960 and went on to work for the State of Connecticut as a purchasing assistant at the Bureau of Purchases for 30 years.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Kimberly (Marino) Dieterich and her husband Rick of Hope Valley, RI; son, Robert Marino and his wife Jill (Strickland) of Middletown, CT; step daughters, Leslie (Faraci) Friedmann of Estero, FL and Lucinda (Faraci) Milardo of Middletown; six grandchildren; Semler Dieterich, RI, Alexzandria Hinton, OR, Isabella, Madison and Michael (Jr.) Friedmann, FL and Aayden Reed, MI.

Joyce's love for family, travel and the animal kingdom were her greatest joys in life.  Her travels to many exotic places like Bora Bora, Switzerland, and Fiji were some of her greatest treasures.  She was an avid reader, baker and could knit anything.  Her great compassion for the animal kingdom became her mission later in life.  She was adamant about feeding anything that was hungry, donating generously to animal foundations and adopting/rehoming stray cats.  Joyce will be remembered by all her knew and loved her as a kind, compassionate and giving lady.

A Memorial Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Elm St., Middletown will be held April 5th at 11:00 AM with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary https://bestfriends.org/donate . To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.