Eulogy for Joyce Marguarite Joyce Marguarite was born on April 7th 1928, in South London, to George and Nel Lincoln. She had one brother, named Ray, who now lives in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. All of Joyce’s childhood and early life was spent in South London; she was evacuated from the city during the blitz along with thousands of other children. Joyce ended up in Bath, where she stayed until the bombing danger had passed, and peace returned to the city. Joyce left school at the age of fourteen, and from an early age proved to be very artistic, turning her hand to pretty much anything, and doing those things with a passion. From making and painting porcelain dolls to the delicate sewing and stitching of theatrical costumes for Sue, nothing proved to be too difficult for Joyce, who went at life ‘full tilt’. She even had a pottery kiln in her garage in London and at one time had around 90 porcelain dolls on the production line; nothing was ‘half measure’ to her. Joyce did everything ‘big style’ and gave her projects 150%. She took up winemaking and at one time had 150 demijohn’s of wine on the go… this picture of her life summed her up; she did nothing by half. John told me that she was ‘one of a kind’. Joyce was a small child who grew up to be a small person, [but only in her stature]… she had a huge personality and presence. ‘Mum was a little bit feisty’, was how John and Sue described Joyce; ‘she showed no fear and would not be beaten’ was another description of Mum’s tenacity. A story is told about Joyce doing gymnastics at school – everyone else vaulted over the horse – Joyce ran up to the horse and went underneath it… it was not a problem to her because she was determined to take part. In her late twenties, Joyce moved to Surrey and for a period in 1970, she worked as a hospital theatre technician.. a job that she loved. In 1975, Joyce moved back to the West Country and lived near Bath, where she had been evacuated to, as a child, during the bombing of the city of London in the 1940’s. For some reason the move ignited her creative passions and she took to painting [the on canvas type]; Joyce loved the area she lived in and it inspired her creativity. Joyce had a real love for dogs and went on to own many different breeds, as varied as was her own life – from Yorkshire Terriers to Great Danes, she loved them all. One of Joyce’s sayings was ‘Buy the best you can afford’. She loved shopping and ‘Bling’, and her musical taste was a broad spectrum, encompassing Rock to Classical, but always ‘up tempo’ and happy music. John described his Mum’s life as a ‘career of grafting’, she worked so hard. They all moved to Spain late in 2003, and Joyce continued to ‘go at life 150%’. At the age of eighty she shifted a full pallet of building blocks by herself – no problem! – this just sums her up. Joyce tried to do, here in Spain, all the things she never had chance to do before, and sadly as her eyesight started to fail and prevented her from doing her crafts, Joyce turned her attention to music and really loved playing the tambourine. Joyce also loved going out, especially in her latter years, and so enjoyed being involved with M.A.B.S. Some of her best friends were involved with M.A.B.S and that is why today, donations are being received for this organisation, who do such a great work here in the area. Joyce leaves behind three grandchildren and one great grand daughter plus her family and many friends who loved her so very much. She set us all an example of reaching out and taking hold of the opportunities that life has to offer and giving those opportunities and giftings our very best shot – give them 150%. Our stature is un-important, it’s what is inside of us that matters - big hearts are what we need. Joyce, your big heart will be so sadly missed by so many. God bless you.