A pair of lifelong best friends, born and raised in Ipswich, are looking forward to spending Christmas together once more.
Mary Cosby and Joyce Kabay, both 84, were born in adjoining houses in White Elm Street in the summer of 1939, mere months before the Second World War was declared.
It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
Ever since they were old enough to walk and talk, the two girls were joined at the hip. Their days were spent playing together on the grassy bank behind their homes, in the streets outside their houses – Mary at number 23, Joyce at number 25 – or in the nearby Holywells Park.
The families were friendly, and the girls were always in and out of each other’s homes. “I never even had to knock on her door,” remembered Mary.
After dark, however, when the girls were supposed to be asleep in bed, they had to resort to their own ingenuity carry on spending time together, talking and giggling into the night.
“We both became pretty good at climbing in and out of each other’s bedroom windows,” laughed Joyce. “Our parents never did find out!”
The girls both attended Cliff Lane Primary School, and after that, Mary attended Nacton Road Secondary School, while Joyce went to Northgate Grammar School for Girls.
After school, Mary worked in Boots, while Joyce became a photographer for Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies photographic department.
In 1958, their houses in White Elm Street were demolished and Mary moved with her family to the newly developed Rushmere estate, while Joyce and her family moved to the Castle Hill estate.
Despite now living at opposite ends of Ipswich, the girls still see each other often. Both loved to cycle, so distance was never a problem. They would even think nothing of cycling up to Clacton-on-Sea to sunbathe on the beaches.
“If we came up behind a bus with lots of boys on board, we used to pedal like mad to try to get past!” remembered Joyce.
May went on to marry Raymond, while Joyce married Zoltan, known as Zollie, a Hungarian refugee. She and Zollie welcomed a son, Nicholas, while Mary and Raymond had two daughters, Linda and Susan.
Sadly, Zollie died when Nicholas was just three years old. Mary was a huge source of support to her friend during this difficult time, and she and Raymond did their best to make sure that Joyce and Nicholas were never left to struggle.
The two families enjoyed many happy days at Joyce’s caravan in St Osyth in Essex, with the children, too, becoming firm friends.
Later on, Joyce lived with her partner, Skip, until he passed away. Mary once again took care of her friend; their friendship enduring the highs and lows of both their lives.
Mary and Raymond moved to Henley House, Henley Road, in June last year, while Joyce made the move on November 20, 2023.
Both their families felt that they would be delighted to be back together again, no longer as next-door neighbours, but under the same roof.
The friends are now making plans to see their respective families on Christmas Day itself, but are thrilled to be living side by side, particularly during the festive season.
“Even now, if we’re looking for them, we’ll ask, ‘Where have Mary and Joyce got to?’” said Laura Biggs, who works at Henley House. “It’s always ‘Mary and Joyce’ – they go everywhere together.
“They’re inseparable.”
“In 84 years, we’ve never had a falling out,” said Mary. “Not yet!”
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