Joy Simmons

You will forever be in my heart Joy. Love you . Rest in eternal peace darling Joyza.

This reminds me of writing my wedding vows – It feels utterly impossible to write down how much someone means to you and always will. But I am going to give it my best go. The most outstanding, wonderful trait of Joy was how much she loved her friends and family. No superficiality to that love, our messages contain a plethora of well-wishes, admiration and happiness about her friends and family. She truly wanted the best for everyone and she flourished in others triumphs. Her empathetic skills were next to none. She noticed things others did not. I certainly felt she had a way of looking at you, when she knew you knew that your choice was the wrong option, but she would never tell you that, just support you and give you a “But you do know better and I know you do” look. That look helped me end a very unhappy long-winded relationship and she was so pleased when she met my now husband Chris – who she affectionately called “Mr Hooton”. Joy had a wonderful way of handling injustice with command – although softly spoken the room fell silent when she was righteously angry at our previous work place. She could make supposed “high up” directors look bashful. She was always on the right side of any argument. She was always thinking of the lives of others, not just her own. Her smile lit up her entire face and was contagious. She was my greatest advisor, greatest confidant and a true inspiration. She will forever be remembered in my family and will always remain Auntie Joy to my little girl Lily. Sleep tight Joy, I pray to see you again one day but for now I will follow the advice you always gave me in hard times – “One foot in front of the other foot”.

JOY // JOY // JOY // JOY // JOY // JOY // JOY // JOY

Joy is so intricately woven in the thread of our memory that we shall forever cherish her in our lives! May her loving soul rest in eternal peace!

Joy once told me I had a memory of gold. She also said to me “you know that intrusive thought that comes at night that reminds you of all the most awkward and embarrassing things you’ve ever said and done? That’s you.” So I thought I should share some of those memories. My first memory of Joy was when we worked at the same company and someone was correcting someone else’s pronouciation of a word and Joy snapped “don’t be such a pedant” and went back to her work.  I instantly respected a woman sharing her opinion so decidedly but I also thought “I don’t want to mess with her.” Another time in the office, there were two male colleagues who were ordering a takeaway, and one asked the other “do you want it mild or spicy?” And the other said “mild please.” Without missing a beat, and not taking her eyes off her screen or her fingers off her keyboard, Joy just shouted “Pussy!” Across the office, she didn’t look back at the man whose dignity she had destroyed. I believe it was this moment I started to fall in love with Joy.  It was when I moved to the same team as Joy we started hanging out outside of work because of our mutual friends. I remember once talking to her about food containers, and that you should use bpa free ones as the plastic containers can be bad for you if you put it in a microwave. And joy, as always not one to hide her opinion said “anything the government approves I’m okay with!”  She did not know the gift she had given to me, as Boris Johnson soon became prime minister. So whenever she complained about the government I would remind her of her quote. Another memory I have is during one of her infamous dinner parties, somehow there was a trumpet that was being passed around the group, and when it was Joy’s turn, she blew into the instrument, and everyone was eager to hear her trumpet prowess; Unbeknownst to anyone, Katherine had opened the fridge and was innocently unscrewing a new sprite bottle, and before we knew it the fizz exploded from the bottle. So much fizz came out yet somehow the only person who was hit was Joy.  She was so soaked that the sprite was dangling off her eyelashes.  She released the trumpet and said “I’ve never been heckled before.” There was one time Joy returned to the office after lunch and look disgruntled, she said “it’s so bad that they put a betting shop here, where they take advantage of working class people with gambling addictions.” And I thought wow I hadn’t thought of that, and I realised Joy cared deeply about alot of things.  Once you became her friend she showered you with her love and light, and I know so many people have felt how wonderful that light is.  I remember telling Joy I had sometimes problems with indigestion and that doctors. Ever since then whenever Joy had a dinner party she would always make sure I was as comfortable as I could be and was sure to give me food options. When I told her I was struggling with my anxiety, Joy, who I knew was going through own health concerns would drop everything and make sure I was okay and keep tabs on me, I sometimes felt she cared for me more than I cared for myself. That was our Joy, she cared alot.  She cared about including people in a conversation. She cared about what pronouns she should use. She cared about what time she called her grandfather, because she didn’t want him to run down the stairs to answer the phone.  I’ve been struggling about how I should end this but I don’t think I will, I just want to share these memories so they live on. Rest in peace Joy.  

It’s been lovely meeting you and serving you. You’ll be surely be missed. Forever in memories.

Joy, God bless rest in peace beautiful

Jeanne. Thank you Joy for your sunshine personality, kindness & compassion to All, & for caring for So many creatures ‍⬛ , my little ones included. With much love and sorrow for your loss to the Earth . Keep up the good work, if you are able ❤️xx

Monday 18 September 2023 For Joy In ‘All About Love,’ Black feminist writer bell hooks says that it is easier to talk about loss than it is to talk about love. This is why I want to write you, Joy, not as someone that I have lost, but as someone that I love. Not in the past, but in the present. Because love continues emanating in eternity, even after the loss of the living person. This love letter is not simply personal, as I am certain that anyone who loves you can relate to at least one of the aspects of this unfinished inventory. I love you, Joy, because you introduced me to London when I moved here 13 years ago. Since then, you have been one of the most faithful friends and art exhibition companions I have ever had. I love how you love art so much that you consistently dedicate yourself to learning new crafting techniques, using your skills to surprise your friends with creative present ideas. I love how there has been no Christmas without you sending me an amusing card. Thanks to you, I now have a collection of campy images of Jesus and Indian divinities. I love you for teaching me the word ‘camp’ whilst eating some pink macarons in Piccadilly and for introducing me to many other British expressions you would accurately pronounce. I love your wittiness: you always have the most appropriate response, critical reflection and commentary – as well as a great sense of humour! I love your long blond hair and elongated body – a body which you often make fun of, jokingly remarking how, in some contexts, you would pop up as the giant in the room. I love all your (mostly unsuccessful) attempts to get fatter and how you proudly show off the few centimetres of belly that you have acquired. I love it when you burst out laughing – especially when the laughter is so intense that your neck curves backwards, and you are not at all bothered by being loud in public while having fun. I love how, throughout your life, you have surrounded yourself with beautifully diverse friends – and how you cherish each one of us immensely. I love your selfless generosity and how you always give everything – and more – to those you love. I love how you have grown an army of sunflowers, naming each one of them – and, finally, gifting them to your friends. There are too many things I love about you… But most of all, I love your name. And everyone knows how you love it too. You love it so much that these three letters always accompany you anywhere you live, in every place you visit, at any party you throw, or on the clothes you wear. J. O. Y. – in cubital characters, printed on your cards, t-shirts, balloons, candles, magnets, souvenirs, accessories… everything around you bears a sign of joy, always in the most colourful pastel shades or glittery letters. Joy is never grey or black. J. O. Y. – a statement, an imperative. But, also, a gentle, affirmative word to rejoice anyone around you – including yourself. You have carried this name with pride till the last moment – because everyone knows you love life too much for it to be without joy. Years ago, I thought I could not be joy – because that was you. To me, you were, literally, joy made flesh, and I could not compare myself with what you have carried so consciously every day of your life. But now, Joy – which is both a positive feeling and your whole, infinite self – we should make you ours until the end of time. Joy, you are within us. Joy is wherever we go, whatever we share, whenever we feel amazed by the beauty of life. Being your lovers – the lovers of Joy – we have the task of celebrating life as you always wished to, despite all adversities. Having you within us, we – you and us – can be a collective of extraordinary, expansive joy. Because Joy should always be shared. Joy is vitality in this lifetime and the one beyond. Joy has been a girl. Now, Joy is cosmic.

I was fortunate to have Joy in my life. We shared highest and lowest moments, and daily in-between moments. She gave me so much strength, inspiration, support and care, so much love. I know that she relentlessly gave love and care to her family, relatives and friends. I will treasure our highest moments, when we were happy, when we were laughing, when we were having fun. The memories of such a dear friend, such a beautiful, delicate, incredibly strong, opinionated, bright, witty, young woman will stay in my heart forever. These memories will help me keep going. I am also sending deepest condolences to the family from my mother, who was fortunate to meet Joy and share some beautiful moments with her in London and Cambridge. Sleep in peace my dearest friend. We will love you always.

Joy was always a ray of sunshine in the class room (Bangabandhu) and was always there to pick me up when I was alone. I’m so sorry to hear such sad news, a loss beyond words x

To the summer girl Joy, I believe that every encounter in life has a purpose, and our time as housemates taught me to be braver and kinder. Our chats in the kitchen were always a highlight of my day, and I appreciated your kindness in complimenting my English, even when I mistook pigeons for doves. I remember our conversation about the winter and how you longed for a proper snow day. When it finally arrived, you took many photos of me, and it was the first time I felt like I truly belonged in London, thanks to you. Even after I moved out, you continued to send me messages inviting me to parties and introduced your friends to me. I’ll never forget the night when we spoke for an hour, and you provided me with the support and comfort I needed. You’re a kind and caring friend, and I know that many others feel the same way. I know we will meet again. Love Stella

Joy was always a ray of sunshine in the classroom (Bangabandhu) and was always there to pick me up when I was alone. I’m so sorry to hear such terrible news and my heart and thoughts are with you all. A great loss beyond words. Rest in peace you beautiful soul ️

I was lucky enough to be brought up with Joy in our house in Bow. My mum shared this house with her mum Frances. We played together along with my brother laurence who was six months younger than Joy. It was a happy time in all of our lives. We were like a happy family until Frances and Joy moved out to there new house in Stepney. We stayed in touch until now . Joy was always remembering to send cards/ gifts to me. Especially when my baby Liyana was born. She spoiled her with little packages of goodies which I adored. So thoughtful and generous, that was Joy. Mt last invite was to her house for her birthday but unfortunately I couldn’t make it. Something I regret to this day. She loved her new house and her cat Pablo. Joy you are adored and fondly cherished by me and my family. Sleep tight lovely, I will miss you forever. Xxx

Beautiful tributes, a loving, caring and very funny woman, big hug, love Ali xx

It was a pleasure to work with Joy, her name truly reflects her character. RIP Angel. My deepest sympathy goes out to all her loved ones, sending you love and strength during this difficult time.

Met Joy at work and like everyone was charmed by her personality. Loved everything about her such a beautiful and kind soul. You will be deeply missed. Condolences to her family and loved ones in this difficult time. Rest in peace beautiful Joy.

I felt way beyond hopelessness when this terrible, terrible news was given to me. I have known Joy since 2010 when we started working together. She seemed shy and distant but this was far from the truth: Joy had a very emphatic personality and did not back down when she saw injustice. She had a contagious and sweet smile and she was softly spoken. In the last three years of my career in London we worked closely together and I began appreciating her commitment in fighting for our wellbeing and happiness at work. It is extremely difficult and painful for me to write any further. She still had her whole life to live. Sleep tight, Joy, I hope you have found peace, finally.

Joy, we’d not seen or spoken to one another for some years, but we worked together for a decent amount of time and I’m so saddened to hear of your passing. We had a bunch of laughs and after work pub trips which I remember fondly. I still remember the night you invited me to your house for the evening with some of your friends, and clearly made an effort to make me feel welcome despite my anxiety – and I learnt that prawns were grey before cooked. You were a lovely, warm, sunshiney person whose energy brightened the room and you’ll be missed by many people, gone far too young.

Joy was one of my oldest and dearest friends, and we’d known each other since we were 13 or 14 at school. We weren’t in the same class, but we were in the same year group and we met in an extra curricular music class learning the cello. I loved the cello and had always wanted to learn, whilst Joy absolutely  hated  it. But it got us out of double maths, so she put up with it for a while until I think her mum finally conceded that this wasn’t a worthwhile cause.  But, as with everything Joy hated, she talked about it with such an entertaining venom that was absolutely hilarious and addictive to listen to. We were later put in the same set for Science, and I don’t remember a lot about those classes, but I do remember a character we created called Fred the Indestructible – who was a plug socket – that was attached to our work table, and that we’d drawn eyes and a mouth on and every lesson we’d make up stories about this relatively useless superhero and his non-achievements. How either of us passed Science GCSE I don’t know. But whether we’re talking 20 years ago or 2 years ago, Joy was the same wonderfully creative-minded person who could make anyone laugh about anything – even a plug socket. I have come to know many of the wonderful people in this room over the past two decades because Joy would throw the funnest and most hearty parties around. I’ve never known anyone else who could regularly throw dinner parties where the host doesn’t cook anything, meaning their guests eventually cook the dinner out of hunger and desperation, and then eagerly return to the next dinner party because they know it’s going to be the best fun ever. And that’s what we did, for years and years. It helped that Katherine eventually became head chef. Joy was full of love and concern for all of her friends – she wouldn’t miss a beat to help us when we were in need. And I know every one of us couldn’t have asked for a more loyal and gorgeous friend. I think the sum of a person’s worth is not in the earthly goods they accrue, but in the people who love them. Joy amassed a truly beautiful collection of lovely people in her life who I feel privileged to know. And I believe it really is a special person who can do that. Joy was bright, bold, beautiful and brimming with sarky humour. Her passing leaves a very tall and sassy gap in my life. We once had a photo taken together, and on looking at it she said “Have you always been this short?” I said “You’ve always towered over me, Joy!” To which she replied “I never noticed, you just have such a tall personality.”  I’ll never forget the friendship she gave me, nor the friends she has given me. And I believe if there is one thing Joy would have wanted from all of us, it would be to go out into the world being our realest and most magnificent selves, and to take every joyful moment we can.

Joy I didn’t know you as well as I would have liked, yet we knew each other enough that we would both always ask Helen how the other was. I always wanted to ask you to coffee or an exhibition, I knew you liked the arts as much as me. Now every exhibition I go to I will think of you.  I never got the chance to tell you how grateful I was to you. Not just for the time you came into where I worked and cut my boss down to size for trying to gossip about me when I wasn’t there (that was spectacular). But for how much you were there for Helen, she is essentially my sister and it was always an immense comfort to know she had someone like you in her life.  Your presence was magnetic, I always felt it when you entered a room, I’m sure everyone did. When you spoke to someone you made them feel so special, because you listened with genuine curiosity, you really cared about all they had to say. You were a rare individual and an absolute gift in the life of all who knew you. My deepest sympathies to all of your loved ones. 

I think of Joy a lot.  I knew Joy from work and had not seen her since we started to work from home.  She made a difference in my life. I remember the time I had another migraine and Joy closed the blinds in our office as the light was one of the reasons my migraines got so bad. Someone called out asking her why she close the blinds as it was darker in the room and she replied ‘Uzma’s got a migraine’.  I remember every time I had a body ache Joy would give me her hot water bottle to use and ask me to keep it in my drawer to use at work till I felt better. I kept it for long periods on several occasions but she never hesitated to let me use it again. I never asked, she insisted.  She knew I loved Cadbury’s chocolate. Sometimes I would come in to work and sit at my desk and see a large bar of Cadbury’s chocolate laying on my keyboard. She gave honest advice. She said it like it was – verbally expressing herself or saying it all without words – with just a look.  Joy was just as beautiful to look at in person as in spirit. She was kind, so very thoughtful and  compassionate. I think of Joy a lot. I wanted to share just some memories I had of her. She was a blessing in many people’s lives. She certainly made me feel special. I miss her too.  May she rest in peace.