Beautician, with no ailment falls ill and dies hours later
Alesia Edwards
The sudden death of Joyce Brown Martin, well known employee of Beauty Statement Salon in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, has left her family, co workers and friends puzzled and in shock over her sudden death.
Her death comes x weeks after another woman from Ocho Rios Millicent Ranger-Walker died within minutes of falling ill at work at the Ocho Rios office of Courts. She was buried Saturday, following thanksgiving service at the Church . Her story was reported in The Times, Issue #35 September 24-30.
Mrs Brown-Martin who lives at Breadnut Hill, near Ocho Rios, with her husband and their three children, ages 24, 21 and three years, lived a perfectly healthy life with no major known illness, until she began feeling sick on Friday, October 3.
Her son, Andrae Martin explained to the North Coast Times that her mother became ill while at work Friday, October 3. He said she had a very high fever. Andrae said he took her to a private doctor in Ocho Rios and treatment was administered. Her temperature was later reduced.
The woman was sent home to rest, after that doctor’s treatment. Andrae said she wasn’t eating, but that she started to feel better. He said later Friday evening, her condition started to deteriorate and she was transported to the St Ann’s Bay hospital.
Andrae said his mother never made it to the hospital alive as he was told by doctors there that she died before she got to the facility. He explained that along with the high fever his mother also complained about joint pains.
“We thought she was having the Chick V,” he said. Andrae explained that an autopsy conducted on his mother’s body last Monday, October 6, revealed that she died from brain cancer. He is however puzzled by the result of the autopsy.
“She was okay Thursday, she wasn’t sick or anything, she wasn’t complaining of anything, a just the fever she had Friday and after that everything went downhill,” he said.
Andrae said the family was shocked and puzzled by her sudden passing.
“It is very shocking, we were not expecting this, it is not like she was sick or complained of any illness or had any complications or she was having constant headaches are anything like that,” he said.
FATHER IN BAD WAY
He described his mother as a very hardworking woman who went above and beyond for her family and children. Andrae said his father, Robert, has taken his wife’s death very hard.
“She was very hardworking, very caring about her kids and her environment,” Andrae added.
Proprietor of Beauty Statement, Colleen Hoilett, said Joyce Brown-Martin was one of her better employees.
She said the entire establishment, as well as customers, were shakened by Mrs Brown-Martin’s death. She said Mrs Brown-Martin was a very diligent worker who was very dedicated and who carried out her duties with great pride.
“She was very dedicated, she would always go above and beyond,” Ms Hoilett explained that Mrs Martin did her job so well that even when she went overseas to work, her job was always available on her return.
She said Mrs Brown-Martin not only enjoyed a good rapport with her colleagues but also customers. She said everyone was still in shock. “This is just surreal,” she said. She said some workers had requested to stay home to deal with news of Mrs brown-Martin’s sudden death.
Ms Hoilett said Mrs Brown-Martin had been employed to Beauty Statement for about six years but that she would often travel overseas to work during that time. She said Mrs Brown –Martin would be greatly missed. Ms Hoilett said Mrs Martin was a family oriented person who would often neglect herself, if she had to, just to ensure that the needs of her family were met.
“She worked hard to support her family,” she added.
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