In one of her bedroom dresser drawers, Joyce Myers keeps a silky blue bag full of cool, stylish costume jewelry she made in the JCC’s beading class for seniors. She often wears her work, and also gives a lot of it away as gifts.
“I love the beading class. I just like keeping my hands busy,” Myers said at her Shalom Tower apartment. “I really enjoy the instructor, Julia. She’s really sweet.” Some of Myers’ handmade jewelry pieces, like a simple black chain with a beautiful butterfly charm at the bottom, reflect her passions.
“Butterflies are free and they can fly anywhere they want, and after my divorce I could go anywhere I wanted, like a butterfly,” Myers said. “My kids know and are always buying me butterfly things.”
Myers, who was born in Malden, MA, and has lived in such exotic locales as Taiwan and Hong Kong, moved to Louisville four years ago from Florida to be close to her daughter Randi and grandson Ian. Myers also has a daughter, Elyse, in Washington D.C., and a son, Brian, in San Diego, CA.
After moving here, the JCC quickly became one of Myers’ main outlets for creative, social and physical pursuits.
“I don’t think I was here three days before I went over there and joined up,” she said.
Myers belonged to a JCC in Florida, but she said it couldn’t hold a candle to the JCC of Louisville when it comes to the amount and quality of activities for seniors. Myers customarily comes to the JCC on Tuesdays for the 10:30 a.m. beading class, then has lunch in the seniors’ dining room, followed by a Tuesday activity like a “Musical Memories” session, a speaker or bingo.
On Wednesdays, she walks the indoor track for about a half hour in the afternoon with the walking club, which is led by JCC Personal Trainer Denise Joseph.
“Denise is excellent,” Myers said. “And I can’t say enough for (Senior Adult Director) Diane (Sadle) and (Senior Adult Programming and Cultural Arts Director) Slava (Nelson.) They go above and beyond, and their job isn’t easy.”
Sadle is impressed by Myers’ naturally giving and caring personality
“Joyce is a dedicated volunteer, always willing to assist in any way possible,” Sadle said. Everyday Joyce checks on her close friends at Shalom Towers to make sure they are well, and she keeps in contact with one of our seniors who moved to Paducah and gives her an update on the happenings at the JCC.
We are so happy to have Joyce as an active member of the JCC Senior Adult Program.”
Myers’ is also a big fan of the JCC’s senior day trips.
“We’ve gone to Huber’s, The Frazier History Museum, concerts…,” she said. “You can be as active or not as you want.”
Sometimes she gets lucky and comes home from a day trip with a little something extra.
“When we went to Belterra (Casino Resort) I thought I won 13 dollars and 85 cents, but I won $138.50,” she said. “I read the machine wrong.”
One senior trip in particular was perfectly suited to Myers, who has a real zeal for shopping.
“Last spring we went to the Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass,” she said. “I invited my daughter who lives here, and my daughter who lives in DC was here. It was a mother-daughter thing.”
For more information about the JCC’s senior programs, visit https://jewishlouisville.org/the-j/j-arts-ideas/seniors/active-at-the-jcc/ or call 502-238-2749.
I have known Joyce for more then 30 years she is my best friend even though we are miles apart we always keep up with each other.
She is a wonderful, carrying person and a faithful friend. Anyone who knows Joyce has been blessed, I know I have!
She is a friend not just for life but for all eternity. I love you my sweet friend and know anyone who’s path you have crossed is much better because of it.
Love always & forever dear one,
Elena