Joyce Elizabeth Bailey (10 Jun 1950 - 6 Dec 2018)

In loving memory of Joyce Elizabeth Bailey who sadly passed away on 6th December 2018 after suffering an anyeurism in the brain, a repeat of what happened to her eight years ago whilst on holiday in the Baltic.

Joyce was born in the West sussex town of Haywards Heath where she grew up at the Holy Cross Convent, her father being the Maintenance Engineer there, a job that was handed down Father to Son since her Great Great Grandfather, George Nichols, in 1870. When she left home in 1974 she moved to Germany to become a nanny to the family of an army Captain in Hohne, where, in 1975 she met and married her husband Terry, a serving member of 1st the Queens Dragoon Guards. Terry left the army in 1977 and they moved to Telford (Terry's home town). Following the death of Joyce's father, who was then the Mainteance Engineer at the Holy Cross convent which had now moved to Rempstone in Nottinghamshire, Terry took over his Father-in-Law's role. So ensuring that another generation of the Nichols family would maintain it's link with the Holy Cross Convent. Joyce became a gardener working for the Convent in Rempstone, and later at Costock when the Convent moved there in 2011. She was still working tirelessly in the Costock gardens right up until her untimely passing, and she designed, planted and tended the new raised bed garden, built by Terry, which is the first thing that you see when you enter the convent gateway into the car park. A fitting tribute to and a lasting memory of Joyce.

Joyce was a quiet, unassuming, loyal and loving person, devoted to her husband Terry. So devoted was she, that 15 years ago she successfully donated a kidney to him, despite her fear of hospitals and her dread of hyperdermic needles. She was one very brave lady. How many people can say that they permanently carry a living piece of their departed loved one inside them for the rest of their lives? Terry is extremely lucky to have had such a generous, brave and selfless wife.

Joyce loved all things gardening, and could be seen tending the Convent's flower beds on a daily basis.

Despite not owning a dog for several years now, the other great love of her life were her numerous rescued retired Greyhounds, which is why all donations in Joyce's memory will go to the 'Retired Greyound Trust'.

Joyce still had a great deal left to give, and this world will be a far dimmer and sadder place without her.

Finally, a brief message to Joyce from her husband, Terry:

My wife of 43 years, my rock, my foundation, my world, who will forever live on in my heart forever.
Sleep peacefully my love, you will never be forgotten.