Joyce Gough Obituary

Joyce Lee Renjilian "Josh" Gough – 9 December 1942 – 17 September 2025 On 17 September 2025, Josh, as she preferred to be called, left this dimension just as she lived her life, with lots of love, dignity, and quiet fortitude. Josh grew up in Holyoke, MA, one of four girls in a proud Armenian family. She shared the womb with her twin sister Joy, who preceded her in death by 18 months. She leaves behind two loving daughters, Jennifer Aznive Gough Sargent (Matthew) and Kerry Renjilian Gough (Matty), two adored grandchildren, Jude Parker Sargent and Lena Beatrice Sargent, a devoted husband of 54 years, Daniel, and two sisters, Sarah May Peeke and Margaret Theresa Barron, in addition to many loving nephews and nieces. Josh has always been proud of her Armenian heritage and deeply affected by the Armenian genocide, which decimated her family and made her parents and few other surviving family members part of the Armenian diaspora in this country. She remained connected to her heritage through her extended family and organizations like the Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA). Before settling in Greenville, SC, in 1980, Josh lived in Illinois, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Massachusetts as a devoted Air Force wife, making friends and impacting hearts wherever she landed. Since settling in Greenville, Josh committed herself to raising her two daughters while volunteering in school, church, and community activities. She was never one to crave the spotlight or center stage but was content with being the hard-working volunteer behind the scenes who got things done, quietly and efficiently, without fanfare. Josh was always known to be warm, kind, and empathic in her every engagement. She was known by anyone who crossed her path for her positive attitude, sensitivity, and caring personality. She wouldn't even kill insects and spiders but rather insisted her husband capture and release them outside, and she often fed the birds and animals in her yard, especially her two favorites, "Squirrely" and "Imitator Squirrely." Through the years she was also a very loving dog mama to Shotzy and Lucy and cat grandma to Domino. In addition to the love and care she had for the animal world, she took many humans under her wing as well, with several of her children's friends, whom she always welcomed with loving and open arms, commenting that she was like a second mother to them, and several women counted her as their chosen sister. Love, kindness, and thoughtfulness defined her every action, and the world is certainly quite a bit dimmer without her. At this time, no services are planned. Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Josh with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory." Memorials may be made in honor of Josh to The Armenian International Women's Association