DRACUT - Josephine "Joy" Orlando, 56, of Dracut passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Lowell General Hospital after a long illness. She was the beloved wife of Jean Bassignani with whom she shared over 28 years together.

Born to the late Ambrose and Grace (Ciolino) Orlando on October 18, 1964. Joy was raised in Gloucester, a fisherman's daughter with a love of the sea.

She graduated from Gloucester High School and furthered her education greatly, continuing to obtain a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire and a master's degree from the prestigious Northeastern University.

As the Director of New Product Introduction, Joy was a skilled and valuable employee of API Technologies in Marlboro, MA. Over her many years of working in the engineering field, she strived to excel not only for herself but for the enrichment and professional development of others.

She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others around her despite silently battling auto-immune illnesses, never ceasing to extend a helping hand regardless of the circumstances. She greatly enjoyed traveling with Jean, cooking for her friends and family, dancing, and enjoying her secondary home by the lake. She was an exuberant party planner, hosting many "ItalianFests" over the years. She spread happiness and holiday cheer through baking the undeniably best Italian cookies that she packaged with perfection and shared annually throughout her social network of family, friends, and colleagues.

In addition to her wife, she is survived by her aunt, Vincie Scola and late uncle Salvatore P. Scola, uncle, Salvatore Ciolino, cousins, John and Lee O'Leary, her godson Daniel O'Leary and many other loving relatives including her extended Bassignani family, and her two beloved pets Ginger Rogers and Greta Garbo, not omitting the late Spanky.

Relatives and friends are invited to join us in a Celebration of Life service on Sunday July 11, 2021 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Dracut Funeral Home, 2159 Lakeview Avenue in Dracut.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joy's name to the Loon Preservation Committee at http://www.loon.org or the MSPCA at http://www.MSPCA.org.