Passing of Joyce Smith

Passing of Joyce Smith
21 Nov 2009

New Zealand softball lost an icon of our sport early this morning Wednesday October 21) with the unexpected passing of life member Joyce Smith (83) in Invercargill¹s Southland Hospital after a brief illness.

In partnership with husband Stan, she was a tireless worker on the New Zealand softball scene, right from club level with Panthers, as a member of the Southland executive and on
the NZ Council during a 60-year involvement.

A unique partnership at Council level was created when Joyce joined Stan on the NZ governing body in 1961, but while he had to step down for business reasons in 1963, Joyce¹s career went on to span 20 years before retiring in 1981.

Joyce chaperoned the NZ women¹s team on the Australian tour in 1973 and as well was a regular NZ liaison officer at tournaments in the southern region. She was elected a NZ life member in 1982 after becoming a Southland life member in 1977.