Thursday, May 14, 2009
Remembering Joyce
My first memory of Joyce was at the beginning of the year in 3rd grade. I was new to St. Isaac's and didn't know anyone except George Coupe who was our neighbor. I was sitting in the back of the room behind Rob Bush, and I clearly remember seeing Joyce in the front of the class. I thought to myself, "she's cool, I'm going to ask her to play with me on the playground today"....and that was the beginning of a very long and fabulous friendship! From then on we drove the teachers nuts passing thousands of notes back and forth, sneaking Jolly Ranchers (or so we thought, those stinky things always gave us away), every morning sharing our dreams from the night before and our horoscopes for the day, insisting we both really really needed to use the bathroom at the same time, hiding in the bathroom at lunch time banging our head or knuckles against the brick wall insisting to Coach Geary that we were hurt and could not possibly participate in gym class that day....ah, the good old days!
4 comments:
I have been trying to get word to the Costanza family to share our deep sadness. Joyce was the most beautiful, gentle person we have ever known. She has touched our lives more than you will ever know. Living next door to her for years was a joy! She was always there for us, her family and her wonderful mom. She had a special way with children and animals that will always be treasured. Kate, Jack, Christopher and Nora have the most wonderful memories of the special angel that was not only a neighbor but friend. Please know that we are thinking and praying for Joyce and all the Costanza's. We are here hoping to hear from you...I will remember Joyce when the Peonies in her yard bloom this summer. Much, much love from all the Morans.
I met Joyce and Debbie together through Junior High friends, who then became friends with them at Central. We became close instantly, and I was known from the time we met as "Lizzie from LaLumiere." I remember being warmly welcomed as an out-of-towner at the time by those two who had been friends forever. Lots of laughs and fun loving quirkiness - like Debbie's long toe nails and Joyce's love of Care Bears! And we had years of fun together...bowling dates, trips to the Lemont quarries (uggh!), dinners, vacations to Lake Geneva, Park City, trips to Nashville and U of I to visit Debbie and Wisconsin to visit Joyce...so many good times. It was always clear that Joyce had no idea what a terrific and amazing person and friend she was...that was always difficult. I remember so badly wanting Joyce to know how wonderful and beautiful she was...knowing she didn't fully believe it. What a loss of such a gentle soul, but perhaps the realities of this world were too much for someone so gentle. It's so hard to think that could be true...but maybe. I wish she knew how much she mattered and how hard it is to believe she felt so little for herself. She will always be remembered fondly and missed greatly.
Love,
Lizzie King Alden
Joyce's song....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur5AYncDDE0
How sweet that Karen is remembered this way. She must have been a very special person ... why do they all die young?
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