Julie Markes, the co-president of the PS 321, sent me some sad news this morning, which she asked me to share with OTBKB readers.
Joyce Watson, the wonderful crossing guard who used to cross kids to PS 321 from the corner of First Street and Seventh Avenue, passed away this week.
She will be remembered by students and parents for the lovely way she spoke to the children.
"Hello beautiful," she used to say. I can hear her melodic voice in my head. I always thought it would be a good idea to record her.
Did anyone ever record her voice?
Hers was a lilting, musical voice full of endearments for the children: "Good Morning, my sweet angels" "Hello lovely lady." "How are you today, handsome?"
She was a much a part of our mornings as cereal for breakfast, conversations with friends outside of the school, waiting on line for a coffee at Connecticut Muffin.
Do you remember any of her endearments? If you do please send them in. Otherwise, they will become the lost art of this wonderful crossing guard.
I’m not sure how long Joyce was the crossing guard but I feel like she was there for the entire 11 years that I was a parent at PS 321.
Every morning and every afternoon, there she was (until she left more than a years ago when she took sick). That lovely voice, that cheerful demeanor, those endearing phrases addressed to the children.
Her funeral is Friday, October 9, at 11am. It’s at Queen of all Saints
Church at 300 Vanderbilt Ave. Near the corner of Lafayette Avenue.
Good bye sweet angel, thank you for the civility your brought to our mornings.
does anyone know what actually happened to Joyce?
we will greatly miss her always cheerful greetings…usually “how are you, my angel?”, and “you have a beautiful day”…in her high, almost Julia Child-type voice, from this smiling, petite, trim woman in her uniform and cap.
We loved Ms. Watson – every morning she’d say “Gimme some of those dimples” and she’d hug my daughter. Katie would insist on getting her xmas presents and would make her end of the year cards. She was such an important presence for us at 321 – she always made the day start on a sweet note. She was a very special person.