Joyce Denslow

Joyce Denslow NORFOLK - Joyce Denslow died in her home Dec. 23, 2010 surrounded by her friends and family. Mrs. Denslow died from complications stemming from pulmonary fibrosis, which she battled for several years. Mrs. Denslow, the daughter of the late Martin Luther and Pearl Gallop Branch, was born in Richmond, Va., Aug. 22, 1930. She graduated from Cathedral High School, Richmond, in 1948, and immediately accepted employment with the General Accounting Office in Washington, D.C. A year later, she returned to Richmond and obtained a position with the State Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. It was also the year she met her future husband, Denny, a sailor from Benton Harbor, Mich. She and Denny were married July 22, 1951 in the First Baptist Church, Elizabeth City, N.C. They established their home in Norfolk and have maintained their residence here since that time. The life of a Navy wife suited Mrs. Denslow perfectly. She enjoyed travel, history, and the traditions, ceremonies, and camaraderie of the Naval service. Two days after signing the contract to purchase their home, Mrs. Denslow's husband received temporary orders to San Diego, and she was not about to pass up the opportunity to sightsee across the United States. Naturally, while in California, she took advantage of the proximity to Mexico and visited there as well. The next opportunity came with a one-year tour of duty at Great Lakes, Ill., which provided the chance to visit many of the mid-western states and the Great Lakes area. After that came tours in New London, Conn., Boston, Charleston, S.C., and Los Angeles, all of which allowed Mrs. Denslow to tour the areas. She and her children moved to Holy Lock, Scotland, when the Navy opened the Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine base there in 1961. While living there, Mrs. Denslow toured Scotland, England, Germany and France. In 1962 she also visited Switzerland, Italy, and France. After her husband retired from the Navy, they continued to pursue their love of travel and history by visiting Russia, Puerto Rico, China, Japan and Hawaii. They also traveled extensively throughout the United States. Although health issues finally ended their travels, Mrs. Denslow had many wonderful memories of all the places she visited, which she particularly loved sharing with her grandchildren. Mrs. Denslow's other passion was swimming, which she did five or six days a week until health problems forced her to quit. Mrs. Denslow is survived by her husband of 59 years, Irving "Denny" Denslow; her son, Keith David and his wife Jane Sears Denslow of Norfolk; a daughter, Barbara Jo Bailey of Bradenton, Fla.; four grandchildren, Taylor Towe Denslow and Dylan Ross Denslow of Norfolk and Shawn Michael Bailey and Austin Paige Gadberry of Bradenton; a sister, Geraldine Schmidt of Chilicothe, Ill.; and several cousins, nephews and nieces. The family would like to express appreciation to Dr. Carlo Silva and his staff for the care, concern and professional assistance provided Mrs. Denslow over the past several years. We would also like to thank the hospice personnel and volunteers who aided Mrs. Denslow over the past few months, including but not limited to Leanne, the Rev. "Deb" Deloris and Ashley. Their assistance was greatly appreciated. The family will meet with friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, 818 Norview Ave., Norfolk, VA 23509. Smith and Williams Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The Rev. Robert Coniglio will conduct graveside service for Mrs. Denslow at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, at the family plot in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Labernum Avenue, Richmond. You may pay your condolences at www.smithandwilliamsnorfolk.com.