Joy Doris Thompson (23 Nov 1930 - 24 Jan 2024)

In loving memory of Joy Doris Thompson who sadly passed away on 24th January 2024

Joy was born on 23rd November 1930 in a Naval Maternity Hospital, Gillingham Kent to Doris and George Bowhay. Two and a half years later, her sister, Jean arrived, the start of a wonderful relationship between two sisters. When Joy was 9 years old, war broke out and this proved to be a very tough time, with her dad away in the Navy, a bomb dropping at the bottom of her road and being evacuated to Ightham. On her father's return, due to ill health caused by the war, they moved as a family to Oban, Scotland to seek safety. This proved to be a very happy time for her and years later, she returned to Oban with Jean. She has always spoken so fondly of her time in Scotland. After the war, the family returned to their Rochester home and when she was 15, met her childhood sweetheart and future husband, her beloved Bern at a local youth club. They married in 1953 and went on to have 2 children, firstly Gary, then 3 years later, Maxine.

In 1962, they left the family home in Rochester and moved to a brand new house in Rainham, Kent. Joy had trained to be a short hand typist before she was married and returned to work at County Hall Maidstone in 1964. She joined several evening classes, including pottery and flower arranging, but it was her cake decorating that she excelled at, making endless wedding cakes with hand moulded flowers. The grandchildren had the most amazing birthday cakes too, you name it, she did it! She continued to work at County Hall, but in the 70’s fancied a change, so went to work at Social Services in Faversham. She found it too distressing hearing sad stories about children so went to work as a School Secretary at the Howard School, Rainham. It had previously amalgamated with Gary’s Grammar School and she worked for his ex Headteacher. Joy retired at 60, but with Bern always in the garage fulfilling his joy of woodwork, she got ‘fed up’ being retired and returned to the Howard School until she was 65.
Sadly, just before their 50th wedding anniversary, Joy’s beloved Bern was tragically taken. She also lost her younger sister Jean and then her son, Gary, all in a short period of time but her strong bond with Maxine and her family helped to see her through being left alone.

Joy was always a very social person and after being told by Maxine she wasn’t to feel guilty and that she was to go out and enjoy life as much as possible…she certainly did that! She belonged to 3 clubs, each of which provided her with holidays, coach trips, theatre trips, dances and even cruises, her diary was always full. But despite this, her family always came first and she enjoyed nothing more than being amongst the family with her daughter Maxine, her grandsons Nicholas and Jonathan (she always called them by their full names!) their partners Kay and Anna and 4 great grandchildren, Lucy, Morgan, Teddy and Catrin.

Also gardening was always an absolute passion, something she dearly missed when she was no longer able to do it anymore.
When her mobility started to deteriorate, the big decision was made to leave the family home after nearly 60 years and move to Canvey to be in a bungalow and nearer family. This proved to be a very positive move especially with lockdown approaching. Joy continued to drive until she was 87, even returning to Kent to go on holidays with her clubs. She joined a local club on Canvey which she enjoyed and once again made new friendships. Unfortunately lockdown put a stop to that, something she had to deal with alone due to restrictions, but being the amazing positive woman she was, she got through it through so well and made her family proud. Even her 90th was in lockdown, but once able she was back enjoying life as much as she was able to, enjoying family get togethers and her weekly trips with Johan to country pubs and garden centres.

Until she was taken ill, 6 months ago, Joy was an absolute amazing woman, always wanting to dress nicely, have her hair done and certainly on the ball. It was just too sad to see her when she was unwell, not the Mum, Nans, G.Nans we knew or want to remember. We need to remember the happy, positive, glamorous party girl that we all miss so so much RIP Joy xxx