Our "Joy" & The New Immigrants

Details: Published: 24 March 2021

Joy and Immigrants

Marie, you have to come and see this house! I'm telling you. It's something else and it's for sale! We could all live together. Mama could have her big rose garden. Dada would have plenty to fix up and the kids would really go crazy with all that space. Come nuh! Let's go take a look right NOW! - Joan 'Joy' Ashley, Ashley Family - Richmond Hill, New York (1990)

✞ Joan "Joy" Ashley

1955

2015

Anyone who ever crossed paths with Joy could happily tell you how family and community oriented this charismatic woman was. hands No cause was too small nor a person too insignificant to become the beneficiary of her passion and unbounded care. Even when she herself suffered from the pangs of neediness, she wouldn't hesitate to take in the homeless, pitch in in the community (in schools, youth groups, cultural societies) or champion another person's cause. She was always at the centre of the crowd, a true "life of the party," and with characteristic exuberance, she always held family near and dear. She wished for nothing more than to stake roots in a place where her family could continue to care and share. ❧

And on that note, the two sisters rushed out to have first looks at the awe-inspiring property that Joy was certain would be the ideal place for the family to set down roots. And as David W. Ketcham the younger did so many years before when he made good on discovering and celebrating his Dutch ancestry in the land east of Jamaica, Queens, these new immigrants to the States stepped in as proud caretakers of the past with an optimistic eye on the future. The Ashleys continued to promote community and shared their culture at every opportunity.

Accepting the torch from another Jamaican family, the Munroes, who had diligently cared for the Ketcham house since the 1970's, the Ashley family moved into the home in 1991, This beautiful home that continues to resound with the laughter of children has been ➀ the venue for numerous community events. It has been ➁ the place to flock to for family gatherings and all the holidays. The Ashleys always offered ➂ refuge to those in need, and ➃ visitors and friends have been known to regale others with stories of all the merry-making experienced at the Ashley-Ketcham house.

Caption: Scenery from the Ashley family's celebration of Christmas at The Ketcham House with the following time-stamps: