Joy Green struggles to keep the pieces together trying to raise two small children, but she has found comfort and strength knowing there is a lot of amazing people who continue to support her.
Green, with her two beautiful children Ryan and Lexi Neary by her side, tried to keep her emtions in check Friday night as the Corner Brook Royals retired the No. 24 jersey belonging to her late fiancé Shawn Neary.
Neary’s No. 24 was presented to the Royals and both the Royals and the Mariners made presentations to the family. Green, a native of Port aux Basques, was presented with flowers, a jersey and a teddy bear by the Mariners organization during the ceremony.
She was overwhelmed with the gesture by the organization and the care and support she’s received from a wide range of people who knew Mr. Neary from his sports career on a local, national and world stage.
“It’s beautiful. It’s well deserved,” Green said. “Hockey was in Shawn’s heart. It’s what he loved, and it’s nice for the kids to see this too so I’m overwhelmed.”