Winifred Joyce

Some people are lucky to be born with one gift but Wini Joyce was blessed with two. As either an actress or a singer Wini Joyce could have made a professional career with the talents she oozed with.

She could have graced the world’s great theatres or concert halls. But her Grand Olde Opry was The Linenhall in Castlebar or The Tavern in Headford, the Taibhdhearc Theatre in Galway or some small village hall her Broadway stage.

Wini commanded full and undivided attention wherever she performed. She was an entertainer first and foremost and was as happy in a gathering of friends strumming her guitar and conducting a sing song. In such company Wini only sang the easy sing along songs because to her all God’s creatures had a place in the choir.

An ever lengthening queue formed in Kilmaine village from afternoon until late in the night on the evening of her funeral and St Patrick’s Church packed to overflowing for her Requiem Mass. It was life mimicking art because those who came to pay their respect often made up the audiences who filled venues to capacity when Wini Joyce was centre stage.

Wini Moran was reared in Gortnamona on the outskirts of Headford town. Around the ring’ the village was more affectionately known to the locals and there Wini shared her talents and generosity with all the neighbours whom she cherished in joyous and sad times.

When Wini appeared on the Michael Commins Late Show on MWR before the launch of her album ‘Wini’ she sang the John Prine classic ‘Paradise’. To this day Michael Commins describes it as the best rendition of the song he’s ever heard.

With Headford Drama Productions she regularly toured America. Her last tour with the group was in local Playwright Michael Carey’s play ‘Thy Will Be Done’. She got long standing ovations in New York and Boston for her playing of Bridie Lavan, a home help lady caught up in the life of two brothers who had fallen out over a will.

 Commenting on Wini’s depicting of Bridie Lavan, Michael Carey says he just scripted the lines but Wini breathed life and hilarity into a character everyone could identify with. There was only one Bridie Lavan and Wini Joyce created her.

Over the years when Headford hosted some great supper theatre nights Wini gave many memorable performances in various roles. But Bridie Lavan is probably the portraying she’ll be best remembered for.

Wini was blessed with a marvellous singing voice in the Emmylou Harris vein and when Wini sang an instant hush descended. Much sought after as a singer at wedding and funerals Wini’s harmonious voice brought joy and comforting to either occasion.

She was a member of Whiteline along with her husband Josie Joyce and Angie and Carmel Kelly. As well as recording her own CD Wini also did a tribute ‘Gone to Jesus’ to her friend the late Michael Forde from Headford.

In the drama of everyday life her husband Josie Joyce was her chief supporting actor and best friend. Wini and Josie complemented each other perfectly. Josie was ever willing to unselfishly watch from the wings and allow the spotlight beam bright on his leading lady.

Wini’s ever welcoming smile and the genuine sincerity of her ways endeared her to all who encountered her. Pretence was only ever a prop she borrowed for the acting stage she adorned. She was always modest and unassuming about the depth of talent she possessed.

The region she enhanced with her larger than life personality has lost a diamond from its crown. The gifted amateur entertainer who never gave less than professional performances has left the stage.

She richly deserved every standing ovation.

Winfred Joyce - a tribute

This academic year 2014-2015 has been a very difficult year for us all in Presentation College Headford as we have lost a dear friend and a wonderful colleague and teacher,Wini Joyce. It is no exaggeration to say she was the heartbeat of the school. From the first day she came here as a first year student in 1969 she was an integral part of the fabric of the school. Her relationship with PCH which started then was to last throughout her whole, albeit too short life.

She was always a great linguist and taught both German and French for many years. Wini was devoted to PCH and in particular to her students. She gave them 100 per cent and she demanded the same from them. While her students couldn’t fail to notice her utter dedication to them in class, they never knew about the hours of care and preparation she gave them outside of class.

Apart from her teaching in PCH Wini had many interests. She was an accomplished actor, singer and musician. She loved to entertain, whether it was on stage or screen, directing students in a school show or at break time in the staffroom. She played many parts over the years in plays, musicals and film for which she received many accolades and awards.

Wini was always young at heart with her bright colourful outfits cleverly put together and accessorised, and her love of music and drama. Meeting her on the corridor was like meeting a whirlwind of colour, scarf trailing, books, bags and almost always a smile, a joke or a funny observation. She never lost her sense of humour or her optimism even when she became ill.

The last time we saw her in school was on November 21, 2014 when she came in not only to celebrate Presentation Day with us but to help organise it with her usual flair and enthusiasm. She was in terrific form and was as usual one of the last to leave having helped tidy up.

Sadly after Christmas her health took a turn for the worse and after a difficult few months she slipped away quietly on April 16, 2015.

When I remarked that it was unlike Wini to slip away quietly   a lifelong acting friend replied “Ah a soft exit, she slipped away through the wings.”

She may indeed have slipped away from us but she will never be forgotten. We miss her laughter, her sense of fun, her colour, her dedication, her mischief, her optimism, her passion for life, in short, we miss Wini. I finish with a couple of lines from one of her favourite songs ,“The Rose”.

“Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow,  lies the seed that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose.”

- Presentation College, Headford.