WESTFIELD: Josephine “Joy” C. (Proto) Bixby, 77, passed away peacefully at home. She was born in New Haven, CT on December 17, 1937 to the late Frank and Ebbe (Serafini) Proto. She was a 1955 graduate of Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, CT. She was a graduate of University of Hartford and Yale School of Music, receiving her Masters in Music Education from University of Hartford. She was employed as a music teacher for public schools for many years and also taught piano privately. Josephine is survived by her husband, Richard H. Bixby of Westfield, her sons, Robert T. Shaw III and Michael J. Shaw, both of Atlanta, GA and Richard F. Bixby of Westfield and Anthony P. Bixby and his wife Jody of Chicopee, her cherished granddaughter, Isabella and a close friend, Joyce Koske of Chicopee. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 11 AM in Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke Rd. Westfield. There are no calling hours. Firtion-Adams Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
