Joyce Ethel (Wright) Batchlett, age 94, who resided with her daughter Lynn, of Longwood, Florida, passed away on March 30, 2018, and at home after a brief illness at peace in her sleep. Born on March 16, 1924, in Ramsgate, England. Joyce was the only child of the late Harry Murray and Ethel Eve Wright, of Piccadilly, London. She grew up in London, and was later employed with London Telephone as a switchboard operator. She met her husband, the late Harold C. Batchlett, on November 25, 1944, when she visited a friend at an army hospital in England and Harold was stationed at the front desk while he was stationed with the US Army in London. After a 7-month courtship they were married on June 2, 1945, in London and Joyce became the second British war bride to arrive in Harold’s hometown of Kenton, Ohio.
Joyce and Harold soon arrived in Philadelphia, PA, but settled in Bristol, PA, where they lived for many years and welcomed four children. Joyce was an active member of “The Union Jack Club,” which brought together the many British war brides in the area. The couple eventually retired to a home Harold built in Effort, PA, and in 1984, moved to Deltona, Florida, where they were very active sharing their lives with friends going dancing, to luncheons, and dinners.
Years after Harold’s passing, Joyce continued to enjoy her friends and was an avid walker. She loved her plants and flowers, especially the roses in her garden. Joyce enjoyed knitting and crocheting and shared her many handmade sweaters and blankets with friends and family. She was very proud of her British heritage and shared it with others, as she was a proud Londoner! She loved dancing, and was an avid reader and letter-writer, keeping in touch with loved ones for many years. Joyce loved baking, and cooking big meals for her family and friends. Christmas was always a huge holiday with many different kinds of homemade cookies, made by Joyce herself.
Joyce is survived by her three children: Sandra Leinker of Newtown, PA; Harold C. Batchlett (Nancy) of Holland, PA; and Lynn Van Broekhoven of Longwood, FL. Joyce is preceded by her son, the late Dennis K. Batchlett, formerly of Chalfont, PA. She is remembered lovingly by 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service to celebrate Joyce’s life will be held April 13th, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763. Interment will be private. The family asks those in attendance for the service to wear some form of pink, in honor of Joyce and her favorite color. In lieu of flowers the family asks for Donations in Joyce’s memory can be sent to: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E232399&id=1
