06/09/2026
Joyce D. Liberman
BARRE - Joyce Darling Liberman, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on June 5, 2026. She was born on November 12, 1932, in Boston, MA. Some of her fondest early memories were enjoying her grandmother Fanny’s cooking and helping at her grandfather Davis’s dry-cleaning business. She was very proud of the fact that she taught her grandfather how to read and write English as he had immigrated from Ukraine. She loved reminiscing how as a young girl the trucks would rattle down the street selling blocks of ice, milk, and collecting “junk.” Each night, someone would come and light the gas lamp posts.
When she was 19, she agreed to go on a blind date with Paul Liberman, the nephew of her mother’s best friend. But when Joyce arrived for their date, Paul never showed—he had written the date down wrong in the calendar. Paul convincingly got Joyce to give him one more chance to go out. Thank goodness, she did.
In 1952, Joyce and Paul were married and went on to enjoy 72 years of adventures together.
One of Joyce’s most treasured times was living in England while Paul was stationed in the Air Force during the Korean War. While overseas, their daughter, Laura was born.
Five years later, and after the family had moved back to the states, their son, Michael Davis, was born in Massachusetts. She loved her grandfather dearly and named her son after him.
The family lived in numerous states along the east coast and in the Midwest eventually settling in Vermont.
While raising her children, Joyce launched multiple successful businesses. An excellent seamstress, Joyce custom-tailored three-piece suits for female legislative representatives at the Statehouse starting in the 1970s. Her family often heard her hard at work at her sewing machine into the late hours of the night.
Joyce was a very creative person who also hand-braided rugs that could be found in almost every room of the family’s house. Many people who saw these rugs couldn’t believe how beautiful they were and that she had created such masterpieces.
Her next business adventure was Pressed Flowers of Vermont. Joyce spent almost 25 years tending to her extensive flower gardens, picking, pressing, and arranging beautiful framed floral designs. Joyce and Paul traveled throughout Vermont and New England selling hundreds of Joyce’s artworks at craft shows to people from all over the world.
The couple also enjoyed volunteering and being involved with various community organizations including the Beth Jacob Synagogue, where they started the first Hebrew Sunday school; Meals on Wheels; the Vermont Hand Crafters Association; the Barre Senior Center; and the Twin Valley Senior Center.
But for all Joyce achieved, saw, and experienced, her most treasured time was with her family, her husband, her two children, her six grandchildren, and her two great-grandchildren.
Joyce lived a rich, full life. In her own words, she loved her life so much, she would do it all over again the same exact way. Joyce will truly be missed by her family and friends.
In her later years while residing at Woodridge Nursing Home she loved reminiscing and telling stories of the times she and Paul had spent in England and the long voyages on Queen Mary sailing over to and from England. Most of her stories centered on her love for her grandparents, and growing up in Boston, as a young girl.
Joyce was predeceased by her husband, Paul who passed in 2025, her parents, Nathan and Eva Gropper and her brothers, Joseph and Jerome Gropper. She is survived by her daughter, Laura (Brian Ibey); her son, Michael (Nancy); her six grandchildren (Amanda Ibey, Alex Ibey and his wife, Jacqueline, Zachary Liberman, Kathryn Liberman, Jessica Liberman, and Madalyn Liberman); two great-grandchildren (Mason Ibey and Emma Ibey); and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the Woodridge Rehabilitation & Nursing Home for the loving care they provided Joyce for the past two years. Also, thank you to the staff of the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home for their guidance and compassionate care during this difficult time. There will be a burial celebration at the Veterans Cemetery in Randolph, Vermont, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 11am.
Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer St. in Barre.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com
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