Joy was born in Windham, CT where she graduated from Windham High School and went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut with a BS degree. During both high school and college, Joy was an avid softball and volleyball player where she won many State Championships and was granted a sports scholarship.

Joy spent many years as a substitute teacher in the Canterbury, CT school system. She then went on to work at Mohegan Sun and ended her working career back in education as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of schools in Chaplin, CT.

Once retiring and moving to The Villages, Joy could be found working as a lobby host or playing softball / water volleyball. There was not a day that went by where she was not playing sports or tanning by the pool in the Village of Charlotte. For those who were fortunate enough to know Joy, all would concur she had an infectious personality, love of life, humor that is hard to come by and a contagious smile.

Joy is survived by her daughter Taylor Martinez of Canterbury, CT, partner Arthur Richard of The Villages, parents Christopher and Kristine Contos, brother Chris Contos, aunts Dorothy Contos and Ruth Mead all of the Villages, niece and two nephews Calla, Hunter, and Cullan Contos of Windham Center, CT and numerous cousins.

A celebration of life will be held on March 14, 2020 at Colony Recreation Center from 2pm – 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joy's name to Cornerstone Hospice House in The Villages or the Sumter Humane Society in Lake Panasoffkee.