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Joyce E. Heyniger (née Lockwood), 79 of Belmar, NJ, went home naturally to the Lord on March 14, 2024.
Born in Long Branch, she grew up in Keansburg, NJ, moving to several locations until marrying and taking root in Belmar. Joyce was predeceased by her husband Donald in November 2023 after 61 yrs of marriage, however her positive energy lives on through her children, Kevin (Gretchen) 2 children, Carver, and Audrey – Camden, Maine; her daughter Dennise (Donald) 2 Children, Kyle and Cody – Belmar and William (Kimberly) 2 cats, Bert and Zeppoli – Neptune NJ. Her sisters Janice, Ruth, Kim, Linda, and brother Skip and their families also mourn her passing and will always be in their hearts.
Joyce experienced hardship in her younger years, rebounding to be a SUPERB wife and ‘forever bestest’ mom of 3 children, spreading shallow roots for a short time on 11th Avenue, Belmar, relocating and anchoring to 608 6th Avenue, cultivating deep permanency for the next 5 decades.
As a function of economics (‘no-money fun’), beach life was cemented into her family’s routine, Joyce bicycling with kids duckling behind, nearly 6 days a week to 10th Ave beach, basically a second home for the summer months. If it was sunny – Joyce & family were anchored at the beach. Inquisitively, Joyce didn’t waste an opportunity to share, learn, explore, encourage, and support her family on the local trips to parks, free events and experiences our parents could afford. Additionally, the family occasionally ventured to Wrightstown, NJ, where her husband Donald worked (Hanover Country Club – course superintendent) for limitless swimming, exploring & driving golf carts, afternoon ice cream, naps and time/ ‘working’ with dad; a basic adventure land for her family. Her commitment to her family fueled her enthusiasm to ‘do things’; instilling all of us with a passion to ‘discover’.
Mom always worked; somewhere, even during her child-rearing years. Whether waitressing at the ‘The Sugar Bowl’, Belmar, then Rainbow Cleaners across from the Belmar Elementary School, and finally discovering her calling of empowerment – earning her Certified Podiatric Assistant degree (night school) as she elevated her confidence with education, being employed in the Podiatric field for 30+ yrs. – a pinnacle where she shined – helping people!
Joyce’s passion to help people extended beyond her career. She was a member of the Belmar Ladies Fire Auxiliary, dutifully assisting the firefighters on scene during fires. For many summers, she taught vacation Bible school at Calvary Baptist Church, Belmar, and taught the ‘itty-bitties’ of the Tall Oaks equestrian center – a job she RELISHED since little kids were her specialty. She had the ‘teacher knack’ and influenced many, many generations of young people. Always inventive, Joyce used her equine income to purchase, board, ride, and enjoy her equine best friend, Chase, who KNEW her voice when she arrived. They shared a companionship during times when she was struggling; sometimes competing in small, local riding competitions and sometimes she placed! Her family shared in her happiness, even undertaking a step into her world of a few lessons riding ‘English-style’ and our family reveled in her successes.
Joyce was a 50+ year dedicated congregant of Calvary Baptist Church, where she was married and now, departs from that special building. Until her health deteriorated, she assisted the happenings at the church, understanding it was another path to utilize her strength – helping people. Whether it was the food pantry, cleaning the building, washing dishes after events and being the ‘I’ll do it’ person, Joyce was dependable, impacting people through her actions, with a proud yet humble heart.
Ever the taxi driver, Joyce endlessly transported her kids, their friends and even their friend’s friends ALL over Monmouth and Ocean counties; to their homes, sports events and entertainment spots with a warm smile and conversation. She taught us the importance of safety and patience, waiting until the exiting person entered their homes and flashed a light to confirm they were safe. It became a running joke that Mrs. Heyniger won’t LEAVE!!!!! – until a light flashed. A few times, our sassier friends would enter their destination, pause and pause some more and even longer, then flash the light knowing a laugh would result during a future shuttling session. Sporadically, one of the car passengers was instructed to get out, walk to the door and inquire, only to return, shaking our heads and chuckling.
Her empathy and compassion were not lost on those surrounding her. 608 6th unofficially housed (bordering on hostel life) friends when home life was challenging for them, on one condition – that the friend MUST call their parents and start the conversation that they were safe. My mom wouldn’t initiate the call, stating that it wasn’t fair to the worrying parents of their child’s whereabouts; yet would talk to the friend’s parents once the initial confirmation was completed. Our mom wanted our friends to know they had a place to go if needed; and it mattered, since this offer was accepted on a few occasions, allowing a cool off period and calmer minds to seek a resolution. Along these lines, our house was also a diner, as friends (diners) would be brought home, unannounced of course, and hoping they could stay for dinner – no one was ever refused. From her humble beginnings, Joyce was a magician in the kitchen, taking meager ingredients and whipping up many a delicious event; even if was just meatloaf. She educated us on how to be appreciative to those who serve you. Often her meal surprises evolved into oft-repeated memorable family stories of how this or that meal didn’t culminate how she had expected.
As she aged, mom was apparent of her limitations, but refused to acquiesce. She kept busy, doting here and there; smiling less so through the years, devolving into deeper blank stares yet with a positive attitude; a characteristic she subconsciously instilled into her children, for their betterment until the last couple of years. She was and will always be thankful for the experiences, journey, love, admiration, and enthusiasm her friends and family shared and repaid to her and as a testament to her family, her ‘wonderful’ personality will live on forever.
In lieu of flowers and in memory & support of his community, our family strongly requests that donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church, Belmar, NJ, 600 13th Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719-2436. They provide vital services to their members and community at-large. Link: https://cbcbelmar.org/give.
Please join us for a celebration of her life to share, grieve, laugh and reminisce on Saturday, April 6, visitation from 12-3pm, service from 3-4pm. at Calvary Baptist Church, 600 13thAve., Belmar, NJ.
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