The Passing of a true Gentle Woman - RIP Granny Joyce

When my own Grandmothers passed, I was fortunate enough to gain another woman in my life that I looked upon as my other Granny, "Granny Joyce".

Known lovingly around Headford and indeed further afield as Granny Joyce, she was a true gentlewoman, quick with a story and a witty comment, a kind word and a truly remarkable woman.

I was privileged to have known Granny for about 14 years and in that time lucky enough to have lived under the same roof and adopted as part of the Culleen Joyce Clan.

Years ago when I had a serious bike accident it was back to Granny Joyce I came, she looked after me and made sure I was ok. When I was dying with hayfever in the height of summer it was Granny that would comment in all her days she had never seen anyone suffer as bad as I with sneezing.

When the snow fell hard in 2000 and there was no electricity for days on end around Christmas it was Granny that kept us all occupied with stories from the old days. She has songs too, lots of the old ones and would sing them on occasion. Visitors, she had visitors from near and far, the back door always open.

Wednesday night dinners of Bacon and cabbage and stuffing that never ends at christmas. Black and white stray cats at the door. Buckets and buckets of collecting turf keeping the range hot. Shopping in Malachy's. Glasses of port and the odd fag. I have so many fond memories of Granny Joyce

I am absolutely devastated to hear that she has passed. Ill never forget her, and everytime Mayo play Galway, ill remember the woman from Mayo who lived in Galway more than half her life, always quick to rub it in when Mayo beat Galway, not loud, just quite enough to give a dig and with a wry smile to top it off.

She leaves behind a huge family that she was truly the matriarch of. Culleen will never be the same again. Family, neighbours and all that met Kathleen Joyce have been truly blessed for knowing her.

I know I have been. RIP Granny.