Alberton says goodbye to Joyce
Alberton says good-bye to a prominent figure in Alberton
ALBERTON says good-bye to a prominent figure.
Joyce Gee Passmore, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 28, at the age of 93, will be missed by her family and friends, as well as the community she so loved.
“We thank God for her abundantly blessed and full life,” said her granddaughter, Debbie Passmore.
Many came to know Joyce in the Alberton community through her involvement in both Alberton Florist and Parthenon Jewellers. Joyce and her husband moved to Alberton over 60 years ago and she had been an active resident ever since.
Joyce, affectionately known as Ouma Joyce, was born in Durban on September 25, 1922. She attended school in Verulam, which is just north of Durban. At the time, her parents ran a trading store in what was then known as Zululand. She was around 17 when World War II broke out, and in her lifetime, much changed in the world around her.
She trained as a dental assistant after leaving school and then married her sweetheart, Beans Passmore, and had one daughter, Jennifer. Beans was a well-known horse trainer with many racing successes around the country and was very active at the Newmarket race course. She was a lifetime member of the Racing Association of South Africa.
Ouma Joyce and her family lived on a smallholding in Newmarket with stables for 40 horses and lodging for 25 grooms. Her husband Beans died in 1980 and she never remarried. She had two granddaughters, Debbie and Chantel. Chantel died in 1986.
Ouma Joyce, together with her daughter Jennifer, and late son-in-law David King, owned the first florist in Alberton, namely Alberton Florist, for 28 years and served the community with pride. During this time, Joyce was a well-known figure at Interflora events and enjoyed dressing up for them. “Everyone who knew Ouma Joyce commented on her keen sense of sophistication and style. Ouma Joyce also loved to travel and had the privilege of seeing most of the world,” added Debbie.
After selling the florist shop, Joyce retired to Durban for a very short time, and then moved back to Alberton permanently to live with Jennifer. They embarked on a new business venture, owning Parthenon Jewellers in Bracken City for 18 years. They sold the business when David, Jennifer and Joyce finally went into retirement around four years ago. Ouma Joyce was a member of Saint Francis Anglican church in Meyersdal for many years, where her final farewell was held on Thursday, June 2.
Ouma Joyce will be deeply mourned and sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
*Information and photo supplied by Debbie Passmore.
