Joyce Vera Mawson - My Grandma

Joyce Vera Mawson
28th May 1928 - 5th February 2008

Joyce Vera Healey was born on 28th May 1928 at Bethesda, Melbourne, to Salvation Army officer parents, William and Doris Healey, and was a younger sister to Jean and Glad. The family moved frequently and Joyce started school at Footscray when she was five years old. She completed her schooling in Western Australia, attended Secretarial College and commenced working for a real estate agency.

On moving to Adelaide she worked for AMP and worshipped at the Norwood Corps being involved as a timbrellist, songster and primary leader. Joyce was also an active sportswoman being a keen swimmer, netball and tennis player. After moving to Melbourne she worshipped at the Camberwell Corps. It was here that Joyce met a handsome young man, Frank Mawson, and they were married at the Camberwell Corps on 4 Feb 1950. They transferred to the Fairfield Corps and then to Heidelberg Corps where Joyce was the primary leader for many years. Joyce and Frank had four children, Rodney, Christine, Robyn (dec) and Judy.

They moved to Brisbane (where Judy was born) in 1964 and worshipped at Brisbane City Temple and then Mt Gravatt Corps. After Judy's birth she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour, and she concentrated on loving and caring for her family and friends. Joyce enjoyed her grandchildren greatly and loved being with them, often travelling significant distances to visit them.

Joyce had a strong Christian faith and this was taught and encouraged in the home. Family devotions around the dinner table were an important part of family life and she was often found on her knees at the side of her bed praying. Her faith remained strong and sure through all of her life.