Monroe, NH-  Joyce Erline Cate, 86, of Littleton Road, died on Saturday, November 10, 2018, at Littleton Hospital in Littleton, NH.

Joyce was born in Haverhill, NH on July 8, 1932, to Don L. and Lillian (Bort) McBurney.  She graduated from Lisbon High School in 1950.  On February 12, 1952, she married Duane C. Cate.

Joyce worked as a secretary at the wire mill in Lisbon and then for 2 ½ years for Boeing Aircraft in Washington State.  In 1970, she and Duane moved from Windsor to Monroe.  It was then that Joyce began working in the Monroe Town Clerk office.  Eventually, she served at the Town Clerk and was the Administrative Assistant to the Selectmen.

For 25 years, Joyce was a 4-H leader.  She volunteered in the kitchen for the West Barnet Senior Meals.  She was a member of the Audubon Society and participated in bird counts, especially the local eagle counts.  As an active community member of Monroe, she helped with many Town events, including working the voting polls, serving as a Halloween judge, and assisting with the Madrigal Dinners.

She was predeceased by a son, Larry P. Cate on September 12, 2016 and by a brother, Lyle McBurney.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Duane Cate of Monroe; a son, Dennis Cate and wife Selena of Monroe; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Joyce's Life will be held on Saturday, November 17th at noon in the Monroe Town Hall.  This will be a pot-luck style gathering so please feel free to bring a dish and a memory.