Joyce Sabatini

Joyce Sabatini (Klug) of Bristol passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at her home on Radcliffe Street in Bristol, listening to her favorite album, The Greatest Hits of The Platters. She was 78. Born and raised in Bristol, PA, Joyce was the most loving mother, wife, dog-mom over the years to 11 different canine treasures, and dear friend and mentor to many. She graduated from Bristol High School in 1961 as a three-letter varsity athlete. She was the director of the CYO for over a decade and her volunteer work for the CYO at St. Ann’s Catholic School and Church in Bristol went far beyond a full-time job. She affected the lives of too many to count in her roles as director, teacher-assistant, gym teacher, basketball coach, and dance coordinator. In plain words, she loved Bristol. Her love affair with Bristol was on full display when she appeared in the center of television screens across America doing "The Bristol Stomp" on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. While her family traveled around the country and the world, Joyce unapologetically, peacefully, and pleasantly spent most of her days in the town she adored, rarely leaving sight of Bristol’s Grundy Clock, except for her escapes to Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ, in order to spend time at the beach with her hero, her brother James Klug, an accomplished war veteran who later achieved the rank of Master Chief Boatswain Mate in the United States Coast Guard. Additionally, Joyce loved her best friend, her sister, Carol Pryor. And she loved her second mother, her older sister, Dolores “Tweedie” Crowley. Joyce and her three siblings were lovingly raised by her parents, Margaret, ‘and John Klug. While  her parents and siblings predeceased her, she is survived by her husband for over 60 years, Ralph (Sharky) Sabatini, as well as her children and grandchild, to whom she gave everything, at every waking moment: her daughter Cheryl Masi (Brian) of New Hampshire, her son, Daniel Sabatini (Valerie), and her grandson, Emerson Sabatini of Yardley, PA. Joyce is also survived by her dog, Autumn, many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, and many dear friends. Per Joyce’s wishes, the service is private. Furthermore, per her wishes, she would advise anyone feeling generous to consider funding the Women’s Animal Center – 3839 Richlieu Rd, Bensalem, PA, 19020 ( womensanimalcenter.org ).