Contributions to the tribute of Joyce Madeline Dwyer

C

Cecile uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, January 28, 2021

c

cecile uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Posting on Rockette alumni site: Dear Sister Rockettes, I am so sorry to tell you that Joyce Hector Dwyer passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. She was a victim of Covid. Joyce was a Rockette for 38 years. She was also a line captain and co-choreographer of the Rockettes along side the late Violet Holmes. I received this touching memory from her dear friend, Frank Devlin who wanted me to pass it on to you. In capturing Joyce’s essence he gifts us a little more time with our beloved sister. Dear Rockettes, I first met Joyce Hector Dwyer in 1974 when I was promoted to the costume department Joyce would come in for costume fittings usually with Violet and Jeri Presky. We hit It off right away. She was very friendly! She had a dry sense of humor and made me laugh. One day I had to bring a costume down to the third floor. When the elevator door opened I yelled, "Man on the floor.” Jere Sheehan said "Hi Frank." Joyce said “Oh it's only Frank." That became my nickname! When she was in the hospital she asked if I was upset by her calling out “It’s only Frank.” My answer was, "Joyce I wear it as a badge of honor!!" As a matter of fact she signed my 10th Anniversary card at Radio City. "It’s only Frank!" A couple of years ago she fell and broke her hip. I would call her two or three times a week to see how she was feeling. She would share with me these great stories about her time as a Rockette. One that she loved to tell and that I enjoyed so much was the time she she and Ann Murphy were astronauts. They were flying high above the stage when the fly men controlling their harnesses made a big mistake causing Ann and Joyce to crash into each other. When they came down she was taken to the hospital and her ribs were taped. In typical Rockette fashion, she and Ann were back in their harnesses for the next show. Another one of her favorites was when they were appearing in Vegas. Sammy Davis, Jr. would stand in the wings and watch the Rockettes perform. At the last routine on the last night of the show Sammy jumped on stage next to Joyce and did the kick line sending the audience into hysterics. When they were exiting the stage Joyce in her deadpan tone said, “Well at least you kept your toes pointed.” She said that Sammy fell on the floor laughing!! She told me that one day during a break when she went out with her stage makeup on she walked by the NBC entrance. A very tall handsome African American man, who probably realizing that she was a Rockette said, “Hi, how are you?” When she looked up into his face she felt weak in the knees as she realized that he was the marvelous Nat King Cole. She told me about the time Liberace had the Rockettes over to his house. She thought he was kind and generous to entertain them so elegantly. Joyce’s stories always had me laughing. She was a very special person!! She was a Rockettes' Rockette! Most important to me she was a true friend. When she could not have visitors I would call her to keep her company. I was always happy to be in her company whether its was in the front of the house or back stage, we shared great memories. She told me that she had been a Roxyette when she was sixteen. Then a Toastette Dancer on the Ed Sullivan Show, “The Toast of the Town.” And finally a Rockette. Joyce was a beautiful soul and a great dancer. She has a special place in my heart. I will miss her everyday. Rest in peace my dear friend. I love you. Frank

A

Anna May farinick lit a candle

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Dear Carlo, Susan and Cecile, Please accept our condolences and that of the Yorke family on the passing of your Aunt Joyce. May she Rest in Peace. Love Tom, Anna May, Robert and the Yorke Family

c

cecile corvaja uploaded photo(s)

Monday, January 18, 2021

R

The family of Joyce Madeline Dwyer uploaded a photo

Friday, January 15, 2021

Joyce Madeline Dwyer

1933 - 2021

Plant a tree in memory of Joyce