I would like to echo Phil’s sentiments re his mother-in-law, who was also mine! Joan really was a model mother-in-law. She was kind and loving, and always so happy to help in whatever way she could. She particularly loved spending time with her grandchildren and looking after them, but she was never at all pushy or overbearing, always waiting to be asked before giving help or advice. I only hope (as, no doubt, do my sons!) that some of that has rubbed off on me, if I one day get the opportunity to be a mother-in-law myself! Remembering back to when Joan and Ron lived in Spring Court Road, Joan was a wonderful hostess, making you feel so welcome and at home. She was a great cook, and seemed to like nothing better than having any number of family and friends round the dinner table. On the sideboard there was always a lovely flower arrangement that she had made herself, too. Joan and Ron were a great team; their home was so well-organised, with everything in its place, and with such a calm, warm atmosphere that made you feel instantly comfortable and at ease. Joan was very elegant too, with lovely coordinating outfits and jewellery, yet she was so modest, I’m sure she never realised just how attractive or admired she was. Joan was loved by all my family. My parents had a similar background to her and Ron, and they had a lot in common, so they very quickly became firm friends, and went on many trips together. We have some amazing photographs of the four of them, such as them standing in front of the Pyramids in Egypt or The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, or surrounded by flamingos in the Caribbean! Mum and Joan became particularly close and were like sisters to each other. In her quiet way, Joan has had a profoundly positive impact on us as a family and we will all miss her so much.