Joyce Lillian Miner

Joyce Lillian Miner (Cleary) age 85 of Bennington, NH passed away peacefully on April 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born on January 1, 1940, in Concord, NH, the daughter of Marion (Griswold) Cleary and Walter Cleary of Bennington NH.

Joyce graduated from Peterborough High School in 1957. Immediately upon graduation, Joyce began working at Monadnock Paper Mills, where she started her career as the Secretary to Gilbert Verney and ended her career forty-eight years later as a trusted and proud leader of the accounting department, in the role of Controller. She considered the Verneys as family and spoke highly of them throughout her entire life.

Joyce also served her community as Bennington Town Treasurer for thirty-nine years and then Deputy Town Treasurer for over eleven years.
Joyce’s greatest joy in life was her family and her beloved dogs. Joyce was an avid quilter and crafter and enjoyed gifting people with her beautiful quilts. Joyce was a huge country music fan. She especially loved Kenny Rogers and Vince Gill. She attended many concerts with her lifelong friend, Joan Schnare and enjoyed dragging her daughters along.

Joyce was especially close with her brother William “Bill” Cleary. Both Joyce and Bill were neighbors, living on the same street their entire life. Joyce enjoyed spending time with Bill and his wife Sandy, and their family.

Joyce was a lifelong member of the Bennington Congregational Church where she has been a trustee for many years.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Kenneth Miner, two daughters, MaryLou (Miner) Cassidy and her husband Nevan of Hancock, NH and Rhonda (Miner) Bliss and her partner Paul Paquette of Loudon, NH. Six grandchildren: Joshua Moreen and his wife Nicole (Whitney) Moreen, William Moreen, Elizabeth Moreen, Ashlee Bliss, Aaron Bliss, and Ben Bliss; two great grandchildren: Colter and Walker Moreen, and many nieces and nephews from both sides.

Preceding Joyce in death are her parents, Marion (Griswold) and James Cleary, and brother James Cleary who passed as an infant.

The family would also like to take a moment to offer a heartfelt thank you to first responders from Antrim and Bennington rescue squad, as well as the medical staff at Monadnock Community Hospital and Marilyn Compassus Hospice Care. All who showed our beloved Joyce compassion and care.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 25 from 5-7pm at Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home at 32 School Street, Hillsborough NH 03244. A Funeral service will be held on Saturday April 26 at 11am at the Bennington Congregational Church, with Pastor Melissa Lawless officiating. Interment will be held privately.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation to be made to the Bennington Fire Department Association, 8 School St. Bennington, NH 03442 or the Bennington Congregational Church, P.O. Box 19 Bennington, NH 03442.

Services are under the care of Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Services. www.holtwoodburyfh.com .