Joyce Gain Collens' Obituary
Joyce Gain Collens passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022 in Covington, LA at the age of 97. She was born Joyce Margaret Gain on July 13, 1925 in Shanghai, China to South Africans, Katherine Barnes Gain and Peter Douglas Gerald Gain.
Joyce is survived by her brother, Peter B. Gain (Di) of Johannesburg, S.A.; her son, Thomas Wharton Collens, III (Nancy) of Covington, LA and step-daughter, Nan Stothard (Hank) of San Juan Capistrano, CA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Thomas Wharton Collens, IV (Mandy) of Collierville, TN and John Daniel Collens (Lauren) of Delmar, NY and step-grandson, Dylan Greenhoe (Anne) of Oregon City, OR; her great-grandchildren, Tommy, James and Stella Collens; and step great-grandsons, Jack, Charlie & Flynn Greenhoe.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Olivia Gain Welles (Jean); her dear husband, Thomas Wharton Collens, Jr. of New Orleans, LA; and her son, Peter L. W. Collens.
Joyce attended school in Shanghai and took the train and ferry from Shanghai to England in August of 1939 to continue her education. Her father went to England to escort her to South Africa early in the war. She met and married Tom in Leopoldville, Belgian Congo. Tom and her father were in the Foreign Service for the USA and South Africa, respectively. Tom and Joyce lived all over the world, but settled in Baton Rouge, then in Key Biscayne, FL before moving to Covington, LA in 1988 to be closer to their grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CW Resident Council, Employee Christmas Fund, 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington, LA 70433, to thank those who have cared for her daily the last 20 plus years.
All services will be private.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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