Former freelance journalist and Hendon Times group senior reporter Joy Myers has died aged 76.
Between 1960 and 1985, Myers worked as a stringer for several national newspapers, news agencies Fleetline News Service and Sly’s Reporting Service, and as a training consultant for the BBC.
From 1985, she spent two years as a senior reporter with the Hendon Times Group, including the Edgware & Mill Hill Times, where she wrote general news, specialised coverage of the emergency services, and features.
She then joined Barnet Council as press and PR manager and later Watford Council, but continued to write articles for the Herts Arts magazine until her retirement ten years ago.
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Peter Wilson-Leary, former district editor at the Hendon Times Group, worked with Myers at the Edgware and Mill Hill Times.
He said: “I first met Joy in the early 1980s. I had joined the Hendon Times as chief reporter and Joy used the offices in Church Road to file copy for the court reporting agency, Fleetline.
“After our time together at Edgware, I moved on to the Watford Observer and Joy made the switch to local government, however we remained in touch.”
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Wilson-Leary said he made “frequent attempts” to “tempt” Myers back into journalism from PR.
“She didn’t suffer fools gladly, but was a kind, caring and loyal colleague and friend, who was the consummate professional at whatever she turned her hand to,” he added.
Barry Brennan, former group editor of the Hendon Times Group, said Joy was a “talented and most-reliable reporter” who ran the Edgware office under Wilson-Leary.
“Joy was kind and supportive when I arrived out of the blue at the Hendon Times in August 1986,” he added.
Myers died peacefully at home on 22 April 2018 as a result of long-standing heart issues. Her funeral will be held at 3.20pm on 8 May at West Herts Crematorium in Garston, Watford.
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