ROCHESTER - Joyce (Wells) Jacques, 86 of Rochester, NH passed away October 16, 2026, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital after a sudden illness.
She was born on December 13, 1939, in Barrington, NH, the daughter of the late Chester and Elizabeth (Brown) Wells. She graduated from Spaulding High School in 1958. Following high school, she worked at Maybury Shoe Corp. In Rochester, NH. She later earned her hair dressing license and bought and operated Barbara’s Beauty Salon in Rochester as the owner. She retired from hairdressing and enjoyed spending time outside in her garden and being with her family. She often took her grandchildren when they were younger for sleepovers, to both car races and drag races in Lee, NH as well as making them Halloween costumes and having breakfast with fresh maple syrup.
In 2008 she took her only son and daughter in law to Ireland, Scotland, and England. While in Ireland she saw Shannon, The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Bridgets Garden, and Dublin. In London she got to see her favorite musical, The Phantom of The Opera from the front row and had High Tea at Herrods.
She was predeceased by her siblings Donald, Patricia, Oscar, and Madeleine as well as her husband Alberic Jacques. She is survived by her son Armand Larochelle III and his wife Donna, grandchildren Danny Ruths, Christine Larochelle, Christopher Larochelle, Jamie Larochelle, and Jennifer Grass. Jonathan Woodworth and Daniel Marcoux, whom she also considered grandchildren along with many great and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Beverrly Dandurant and Judith Wells along with many nieces and nephews.
A New Hampshire Press Association member