Joyce E. Porth Hanks, 69, passed away on 18th of February 2014 at The Hebrew Home in West Hartford, CT. She was born on June 6 1944 in Portland, ME, to Charles and Georgia (Wheelock) Cheney. Joyce grew up in Somers CT. She graduated from Somers High in Somers, CT in 1962. After high school she began work for Mass Mutual as a clerk in the underwriting department. Joyce also worked as a waitress at Valley Steak House. She started her own business, Back Door Ceramics, where she was a teacher and also a friend to many whom walked into her studio. She had a lot of fun nights and great memories at her studio. She also taught Ceramics at Western New England College & volunteered her time at the Agawam Senior Center teaching. Joyce's most treasured job was running a day care business. Joyce treated her daycare children as if they were her own. She and her friend Rosie use to dress up as clowns and deliver balloons. Joyce was also a foster mother to several foster children throughout the years. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Roger Hanks, her parents Charles and Georgia Cheney, Brothers Dale and Charley Cheney, sisters Donna Hurteau, and Winifred Avery. Joyce is survived by her son Kent (Donna) Porth of East Longmeadow MA and daughter Denise McIntyre of Somers, CT; her Brother Wayne Cheney of Arkansas, grandchildren Meghan Donahue, Lorin Porth, Ryan Porth, Darrin McIntyre and Sydney McIntyre, along with her dear friend Harriet Rossi.
A memorial service will be held at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road
Enfield, CT 06082 at 3pm on Saturday February 22, 2014. A visitation will be held at Browne Memorial Funeral Chapels, 43 Shaker Road Enfield, CT 06082 from 1-3 pm on Saturday February 22, 2014. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza Suite 200, East Hartford, CT 06108 or to Autism Society of CT, Po Box 1404, Guilford, CT 06437.

[Published in The Journal Inquirer, Friday, February 21, 2014]