Greta Joy Campbell

  General Notes:

(Greta) Joy Campbell was born on 30th April 1932 at home in Lachlan Street Thirroul. She was the second daughter to Violet and Tom Campbell. Joy attended Thirroul Public School and later at Wollongong>
Technical College. After completing school she joined the staff of The Illawarra Meat Company at Thirroul as a shop assistant which led to her being responsible for the book keeping of three shops, a>
position she obviously enjoyed as she often spoke of her time their with fondness.
One day in 1948 Joy was invited to join her sister Dawn and boyfriend Chris Johnston to attend a matinee session at the Kings Theatre Thirroul. On this day she met Lindsay Prior; this was the beginnin>
g of a 56-year union. Joy and Lindsay courted on the back of AJS and Matchless motorcycles, mainly enjoying picnics and fishing expeditions throughout the Illawarra. In 1950 Lindsay was granted a prom>
otion with his work on the Railways which meant a relocation to Orange. Rather than being separated they married on 16th December 1950 at what is now known as the Uniting Church on the Crown Street Ma>
ll in Wollongong. In 1950 working conditions and accommodation were extremely difficult and Joy found herself living in a one bedroom flat with shared facilities. Joy was never one to complain or grum>
ble she would simply knuckle down and make the most of the situation, a trait she would carry throughout her life. In 1952 they moved back to Thirroul where they purchased a block of land at the top o>
f Seafoam Avenue and together they built a road bridge to gain access to the land before building their own house, yet another example of Joys' enthusiasm of getting her hands dirty by mucking in and >
helping out. After the house was partially completed they started their family, Jeffrey, Dell and Linda. The one thing Joy loved to do was travel; just hop in the car and go some place. She always lo>
oked forward the family's annual camping holidays to places like Broulee, South West Rocks or Wee Jasper. These expeditions were a much anticipated event that saw mum planning the car packing for week>
s in advance and when they eventually got to their destination all she seemed to do was work hard cooking and washing with a huge smile on her face. As the children got older the annual camping holida>
ys waned off, Then along came Linda who reinvigorated the Joy's zest for living and the annual holiday passion which saw the family holidaying throughout NSW and Victoria.
Her one other passion was cooking, she loved nothing better than cooking up a Christmas feast for the family and in fact she started cooking Christmas cakes in September for anyone who enjoyed them. H>
er cakes and trifles were the best. As the children grew older and moved away to start their own families Joy mum was the glue that held them together. She always kept in touch and informed family mem>
bers about what was going on in each family. She truly loved her telephone conversations.
Joy was a very proud Grandmother to four girls, two boys and Great Grandmother to three girls and one boy. Joy was active in many community activities including; The Helensburgh Amateur swimming club.>
She organised many a learn to swim program and trained competitive swimming squads to great success. Joy and her husband spent many late hours or weekends keeping the club members handicap figures up>
to date. When it came to the annual presentation night Joy wouldn't tolerate just winners getting awards. Every child received a trophy, nothing pleased her more than seeing all those kids proud as p>
unch holding up there trophy.
Joy's dedication to the club saw membership virtually double and both Joy and Lindsay were rewarded with life membership of the club. Joy also enjoyed helping out as a volunteer at the Salvation Army >
Shop in Woonona, yet another example of her giving quality. Joy, like many people of her time was a person who viewed every stranger as a potential friend rather than an object of suspicion. She poss>
essed wonderful qualities that endeared her to all that knew her. To her family and friends she was mother, teacher, coach, confidant and just plain good company. For these reasons we will miss her tr>
emendously.
Jeffrey Prior
Son

  Noted events in her life were:

• She was employed.

Greta married Living