2011 Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Little Robyn
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 09:51 PM

An Irish Legend

Whoever's born on Christmas
Is favoured from the start;
Has laughter and good fortune
And a contented heart;
Is loved by noble company,
Has all that should suffice.

But he that dies on Christmas
Goes straight to paradise.

RIP Helen
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Mooh
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 08:14 AM

Sympathies and condolences. I hope by the time next Christmas arrives the hurt is gone and you remember the good times.

It was my own Mum who introduced me to the Mudcat though she's been gone for a few years now.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST,Yvonne.
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 06:54 AM

She was one of the best.

She had a wicked sense of humour and a big, big brain where she stored so much knowledge. She put me to shame and made me laugh and laugh.

I hate speaking of her in the past tense because energy can not be destroyed or die or leave us. Helen IS energy.

She is still with you, John.

My love to you all

Yvonne xx

Subject: RE: Helen
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 08:23 PM

So sorry to see this, John.
Helen was such a lovely lady, with such energy- I thought she'd go on for ever!
She leaves a very large gap behind her, but also so many happy memories.
Condolences to you and all the family. x

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 12:41 PM

That's very sad news JJ - she was a great musician for Chorlton Green Morris and a real bundle of energy. A sad loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: John J
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 12:28 PM

I know what you mean - I can't get my head around learning 'King Jamie & The Tinkler' either, heaven knows how Mum ever did!

JJ

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Arcane Lag
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 11:48 AM

We didn't hear the sad new until today when we went to see Bollin Morris at Dunham Massey. Our thoughts were of Helen and her tireless contribution to their revival and continued succuss. I have been priviliged to listen to her and to sing along with her at The Railway, Songs in the Snug, The Sarries, The Beech and many more and have been inspired by her love of the tradition and ability to tackele songs that flummox the rest of us.

Her memory and inspiration will always be with us.

Condolences to you and your family JJ.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 11:13 AM

My condolences.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 10:31 AM

Sorry, that was me above: seems my cookie had been cleared.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 10:29 AM

So sorry to hear this, John. Don't know if I ever met your Mum, but she sounds a rare person and musician. I lost my Dad on Christmas Day last year, so we did have least a few moments' fond reflection yesterday.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 10:02 AM

Sad news, John.

I've added Helen to the Mudcat Memorial thread.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Mr Happy
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 07:22 AM

John,

Much sympathy.

However, we remember her as a real live wire & inspiration to many younger folk!

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Bernard
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 07:17 AM

So sorry to hear this, JJ.

Please take comfort in the knowledge that she will live on in the memories of all of us who knew her for a very long time.

She was one of those rare people who made a difference.


Bernard

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: My guru always said
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 06:50 AM

So very sorry to hear this John, you have lots of good memories of a special lady!
Love & Hugs,
Hil xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 06:33 AM

So sorry for your loss John. I remember meeting your mum. Lovely lady. With Love Linda xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 05:59 AM

John - I'm so sorry to read this news. I hope your many happy memories will help to sustain you and your family through this difficult time and subsequent Christmases.

Kitty
xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: John J
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 04:26 AM

Thanks for that Joe - Mum didn't 'do' technology, she never got her head around user names, cookies etc, although she had fun trying!

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful messages of condolence, both here and by direct email.

It's Boxing Day morning and the world seems quite empty today.

John

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25 Dec 2011
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Dec 11 - 12:03 AM

Helen posted recently as Helen Jocys, and earlier as HelenJ and Guest,HelenJ. Some of her posts go back as far as 2001 - click the links to see what she's written.
May she be at peace.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Maryrrf
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:41 PM

She sounds like a wonderful lady who enjoyed life. I'm sorry for your loss, John.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:36 PM

I am so sorry, John J. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 08:50 PM

sending my condolences to family & friends for the loss of an amazing woman & folkie

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Bobert
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 06:38 PM

So sorry to hear of your loss, John J...

B~

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 06:23 PM

Sorry to hear this, John. I'd heard she wasn't well, but this is still a sad shock. I must have heard her play dozens of tunes at the Beech - most of which I didn't know - and I'll always remember her Wizard of Alderley Edge. That, and the quiet inconspicuous way she would leave the room when she needed to leave before the end of the evening - as quiet and inconspicuous as you can be when you're hefting an accordion nearly as big as you are, and you want to say goodbye individually to half the people in the room.

She was someone who loved the music, loved life and loved people. I'm glad her final illness wasn't too long-drawn-out (it doesn't seem like any time since we last saw her at the Beech) and I hope it wasn't too difficult for her to bear. Those who knew her will remember her with affection.

Phil

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 02:58 PM

I'm very sorry indeed to hear this news. I enjoyed singing with Helen many times in the Snug at the Railway Inn near Lymm, and loved her wicked sense of humour and her mischevious approach to life. She was a very lovely lady indeed, John and I know you and your brothers and sisters will miss her terribly.

Thinking of you, with much love, Matthew

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 02:57 PM

Kindest regards and condolences to you and yours,John J.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: GUEST,Keith Price
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 01:47 PM

I'm sorry for your loss John

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: alanabit
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 01:16 PM

I am very sorry to hear this. I hope the good memories sustain you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 12:38 PM

Whether they die on or near the holidays, it always makes them more poignant, but more special, in years to come. My father died just before Thanksgiving and I always am reminded, because of the holiday, to reflect on his life.

My sympathy, John, to you and your family. This year especially you need to take extra care of each other.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Morticia
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 12:14 PM

I'm so sorry John, she sounds like an amazing lady.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:59 AM

(((John)))

~S~

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:53 AM

My deepest condolences for you and your family, John. She sounds like a wonderful lady leaving the world richer for being here.

In Peace and Love,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: redhorse
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:51 AM

Sad news JJ. We'll miss her

Thinking of you

Nick & Lin

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:43 AM

Sorry for you loss, John J

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: GUEST,999
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:31 AM

I sure am sorry for you and your family, John.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:16 AM

My deepest sympathies John.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:10 AM

That's a hard thing to deal with, John, losing someone at Christmas. My own mother died back on November 20 this year, so this is the first Christmas I've spent without at least one of my parents still in this world. You have my condolences. May you always carry shining memories of your Mum in your heart.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:04 AM

I am sorry, John. Celebrate her life and carry on her tradition.
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 11:00 AM

So sorry for your loss, John.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 10:50 AM

Deepest condolences for your loss, John. My Mum passed a few weeks back - same age, though we always took Helen for a lot younger. Though we only met her a few times (at Chorlton & the Saracen's head) we remember Helen with much respect and admiration.

Sean & Rachel.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 10:42 AM

As sad as it is to hear of anyone leaving this life on Christmas, it is right good to know that they got so much from life... and gave so much TO life!

May the good memories sustain you in the years to come.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: Raptor
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 10:32 AM

I'm so sorry for your, and our loss.

Subject: Obit: Mudcatter Helen Jocys 25/12/11
From: John J
Date: 25 Dec 11 - 10:30 AM

My Mum, Mudcatter Helen Jocys, died this morning aged 80.

Mum was a singer of traditional songs and played melodeon and accordian.

It was her energy that gave Bollin Morris the kick in the pants that brought it back to life and helped make it the successful side it is today.

Mum was the founder of The Marmalade Band, a group of ladies who would gather at her house on Saturday mornings to sing and play and eat breakfast of toast and marmalade.

Mum was always looking for fun and any chance to sing or play in a session. A couple of years ago at Shrewsbury Folk Festival she woke me up beyond midnight after a particularly heavy day of sessioning. Mum had heard a music session kicking off and wanted us to join in. It was well past 4am when we eventually gave up.

Ever the one to go against convention, the term 'grow old disgracefully' could have been written for her.

Above all, Mum was mother to six - all who will miss her terribly.

Christmas Day will never be the same in our family.

JJ