Joyce Casey (11 Jul 1930 - 22 Jul 2017)

In loving memory of Joyce Casey who sadly passed away on 22nd July 2017

Joyce Wragg, daughter of Doris and Ernest Wragg, born in Wirksworth on the 11th July 1930 a lovely little Derbyshire town. At the age of two they moved to Crich, another place in Derbyshire (and another special place in her heart) 11 Bullings lane. The original name of the house was “Westbank”. Westbank as Joyce would say, was a brand new council house with gas and running water, an outside toilet, a bath but no electricity! As Joyce said, it had all the mod cons.

Joyce was the first of 6 children. Her sister’s Enid, Anne and Margret, her brothers George and Michael. In the years that past up to the age of 24 Joyce would spend her free time helping to raise her sisters and brothers, she was a home bird who never strayed far from home and worked at the Smedley spinning mills at Cromford and Holloway to help support the family, that kind of sacrifice was a normal part of life in those times.
Joyce was married on 27th December 1954 to James Gold Brown Casey and they remain married to this day some 62 years. Joyce and Jim had Four sons Jim, Mick John and Martin and in time 9 Grandchildren and five Great Grandchildren.

Next was 5 Lower drive Swanwick with Mr. and Mrs. Bamford and then moving to a cottage at 13 High Street, Swanwick where Joyce had some of her fondest memories, no electricity, no inside bathroom and only floor tiles between the family and the worms but they managed to have their first three sons here. Following this was 8 Baker Close Somercotes this was a busy time for Joyce and Jim with the birth of their fourth son and many pets, a Labrador, ferrets and rabbits. Later came the move to Gedling in Nottingham initially at 20 Lymn Avenue and then to 72 Phoenix Avenue, some 24 years were spent in Gedling with most of their later weekends spent at their Caravan at Chaple St Leonards.

Once their nest was empty Joyce and Jim returned to Derbyshire to 15 Dale Avenue Riddings where they have been for some 30 years. This period was a good period for my Joyce with the freedom to do what they wanted, twice going to Australia to visit family along with many other holiday abroad, Malta being one of the favorites.

Joyce was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late February this year and told she had 8 – 12 weeks at the most however in her true spirit she proved them all wrong. Joyce’s later days were spent at the Nightingale MacMillan Cancer Unit at Derby Royal Hospital and then finally at Burton Closes Hall in Bakewell where in both places the care and support she received was amazing, finally passing away on July 22nd having reached the age of 87 a few days before.

Rest in peace Joyce.