Passing of Empangeni stalwart

LONG-STANDING Empangeni resident Joy van Graan passed away peacefully in Umhlanga on Saturday, just 10 days before her 96th birthday.

Known as the founder of the Golden Oldies group, Joy moved to Twilanga frail care in September last year when she needed more specialised attention. She missed her friends and her cottage at Leisure Gardens, where she had lived happily for more than 20 years. Joy and husband Willie moved to Empangeni from Cape Town in 1959 when they opened a dry cleaning business in town.

When they eventually sold the business, Joy looked for something to keep her busy and started selling clothing directly to the public for a company called ‘It’s a pleasure’. She proved to be an excellent salesperson and she and Willie enjoyed several trips to Europe and the Far East as a result of her sales successes.

As her name suggests, Joy was a great people person and enjoyed interacting with others.

It came as no surprise when she started Golden Oldies some 30 years ago to provide social activities for Empangeni’s senior citizens.

She remained involved in its activities until she became too frail to continue.

She will be missed for her friendly smiles, enquiring chats, unconditional love and concern for everyone’s welfare. Her legacy lives on in Empangeni through the Golden Oldies group and her children will cherish her memory.