Birth date: Dec 16, 1946 Death date: Jun 3, 2023
Joyce Irene Wood, Age 76, passed away Saturday, June 3, 2023. Joyce’s family and friends will gather Friday, June 9, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 and on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Eineder Funeral Homes Read Obituary
“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart,” - Eleanor Roosevelt.
My mom met her best friend when they were in High School. They were best friends separated on earth when my mom passed away on January 15, 2015 and on Saturday June 3, 2023 they were reunited as best friends.
I don’t think they ever walked in or out of each other’s lives. They were always true friends and the footprints of their friendship left its mark on more than one heart.
I grew up with Joyce and Gordon, Robby and Mikey. My youngest memories are running, biking, roller skating and swimming my way around the neighborhood between the Schafer’s, Rice’s, Wood’s, and McMullen’s. When my family moved from Michigan to Pennsylvania this family friendship continued with annual summer vacations at Ocean City, Maryland.
Then it was kites, boogie boards, burying each other in the sand, carrying each other on the boardwalk, Thrashers Fries and Fischers Popcorn, sleeping with tennis rackets and swimming with sand in our shorts. It was there that my own friendship began with Joyce.
She was always still my moms best friend but on our early morning walks on the beach over the years she became my friend too.
“You walked with me, Footprints in the sand, And helped me understand, Where I'm going. You walked with me, When I was all alone, With so much unknown. Along the way.” - lyics from Footprints by Leona Lewis
Joyce was a friend who showed up. She was at my high school graduation, and brought her entire family to surprise me at my college graduation. She was at family weddings, graduations, funerals, and birthday parties, as a part of our family she celebrated not just my family but also cousins and neighbors and friends!
One of my favorite memories was when MY best friend Lisa and I walked the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon. We were the last place group gathering an usual group of those who needed encouragement and support along the way. Joyce and my parents drove all over Myrtle Beach to cheer us on and wave the homemade signs Joyce made and make sure we all knew we were not alone as we finished the race.
I know Joyce felt solace and peace when she was at the shore. Slowly over time it was no longer loud, noisy, crowded summer vacations with teenagers. It became just the adults, then just two of them, and sometimes she would go alone just to be there and leave her footprints in the sand.
I like to think that as Joyce was ill my mom in heaven may have sent this message to her best friend:
When I'm weary Well I know you'll be there
And I can feel you When you say
I promise you I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sadness and despair
And I'll carry you When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
- lyics from Footprints by Leona Lewis
One of the places Joyce would visit in Myrtle Beach was the butterfly garden. I think it is a beautiful tribute that the Butterfly Experience is called Whispering Wings.
I have placed a memorial tribute brick for Joyce at Brookwood Greens Butterfly Experience in Myrtle Beach as a tribute to Joyce’s Whispering Winds as a Best Friend and The Footprints she left on the sands of the shore and the hearts of many.
May you all find peace and comfort with each other as we mourn her loss.
Melanie
