In Memory

Joy Preece (Currie)

                                                                 

Joy Marie Preece (Currie)
April 20, 1947 – February 6, 2009

Joy Marie Currie, of Lincoln, died February 6, 2009, of pancreatic cancer. She was 61 years old. Joy was born in Lincoln on April 20, 1947, to George and Mary (Haverland) Preece. At the time of her death, Joy was a lecturer in the UNL Department of English.

Joy graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1965. She earned a BS in Medical Technology from UNMC in 1969. a BA in English from Minot State University in 1991 and a PhD in English from UNL in 2006.

In August 1969 Joy married 2ndLt. Alexander Currie. In March of 1970 they left Lincoln for a 26-year career as an Air Force family. When Joy and Alex returned to Lincoln in 1996, Joy began her graduate studies in British Literature. As a graduate student, Joy was a two-time winner of the John Robinson Award for Scholarly Papers. She also received the Hazel V. Emley Fellowship, the Maud Hammond Fling Combination Fellowship and the P.E.O. Graduate Fellowship. Joy was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and P.E.O.

Joy Currie is survived by husband, Alex and daughter Sarah of Lincoln; son Christopher of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren, Dillon Patrick Currie and Erin Bailey Currie, Seattle; sisters & brothers-in-law, Mary E. and William Rogge, Lincoln; Georgean and David Barber, Lincoln; and three nieces and one nephew. Joy was preceded in death by her father George Preece. Joy’s mother Mary Preece died on June 20, 2017.

A private cremation took place, and no visitation was held. Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. on February 12, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church, 840 S. 17th St., in Lincoln. Memorials were suggested to the University of Nebraska Foundation for the Joy Currie Memorial Fellowship or the P.E.O. Scholar Award Fund.

A note from Alex - to honor Joy’s memory, the Dr. Joy Currie Graduate Student Support Fund was established through the UNL Foundation. The Fund provides financial support for graduate students’ travel when they present papers at conferences and symposia. These presentations help students to build strong curriculum vitae and find professional positions after graduation. Thanks to many generous donations this fund is now continued in perpetuity. Since 2009 the Fund has assisted over 120 grad students. Joy would be amazed.