Straz, Joy Marianne's Obituary
Joy Marianne Straz, 94, of Spring Hill, Florida, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024. She was the widow of Thomas J Straz.
Born on September 8,1930, in Cambridge, MA, she was the beloved daughter of the late Herbert and Marion Thwing. She attended schools in Massachusetts, New York, and California, where during her high school years she attended Ventura Junior College and was a member of the Dramatics club. She graduated at age 16 from Wakefield, MA with the nickname “Class Baby.”
After graduation, she worked as a bank teller. From there, she moved to her parents' home in Wakefield, NH and worked for General Electric. In 1952, she married Thomas C. Melville and they had two daughters. They lived in Arlington, MA, where she was employed in the bookkeeping department at Harvard University. They also lived in Illinois, Connecticut, and finally New York, where she modeled at a New York fashion house.
From New York, she and her two daughters moved to her parents' house in Wakefield, NH where she managed two inns. There, she remarried, moved to Massachusetts, and finally settled in Plymouth, MA, for many years.
Joy shined at being a “Horse Show Mom.” Their Plymouth home became a popular place for her daughters and their friends to gather. Friends would often bring their horses for overnights. At horse shows, she could be found cheering from the ringside and taking photographs. She also helped establish the Plymouth Pacesetters 4H horse club for young equestrians.
Joy worked in bookkeeping at different medical facilities and later co-owned two Plymouth salons, where clientele enjoyed her warm smile, friendly conversation, and vibrant personality.
She was vivacious and charismatic and thrived in social situations. She loved fashion and glamour and will be remembered for often having one of her cherished toy poodles on her arm. She loved Egyptian art, bowling and card games with family and friends.
In 2003, Joy married the love of her life, Thomas J. Straz. She moved to Florida with him, where they spent the remainder of their lives together happily married. They enjoyed road trips, cruises to the Caribbean, and quieter times at home reading the Sunday paper together. She truly loved her Florida life.
Joy was predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. Straz (2021) and daughter Meri Straz (2005). She is survived by her daughter Teresa L. Wall and husband Richard H. Wall Jr. of Plymouth, MA. She is also survived by her stepson Andrew Straz and wife Linda, stepson James Straz, stepdaughter Margaret Cooper, and stepson Robert Straz.
Joy’s ashes will be commingled with her beloved Tom’s and spread in the Gulf of Mexico. Those wishing to honor her memory may make donations in Joy and Tom’s names to: The Nature Conservancy (Florida): https://preserve.nature.org/page/80429/donate/1
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