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Obituary - Joan Francis

Joan Francis died on 4th July 2013 aged 99 years at Fabee Nursing Home where she had lived for the past five years following a fall at her home in Blacklands Drive.

She came from a well known Hastings family and became head of a large family herself; 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was the last surviving member of the Morgan family of 4 sisters and 1 brother. She had been married to Bill for 49 years when he died in 1989.

She lived in Blacklands Drive for 60 years. The Blackland’s area was Joan’s parish where she lived, gardened and worshipped. She was a true friend to many of her neighbours.

The church was very important to Joan. It was her solace as well as her source of entertainment and friendship.

As a child and in her early adult life she attended St Andrew’s Church (which is now Morrisons) and then Blacklands after the closure of St. Andrews. She was always actively involved in the church, attending many groups especially the Mother’s Union. She was a phenomenal fundraiser for the church organising many jumbles sales and church fairs with her loyal band of helpers and friends.

She was way ahead of her time with energy saving and recycling. Woollen jumpers from jumble sales were unpicked so that the ladies of the Parish could re-use the wool to knit into squares, hats, gloves and various toys. These would be sold at fairs to raise money for the church and especially the Brownies.

Joan became a Brownie helper called Snowy Owl at a fairly advanced age and had to be told to retire in the end. But in recognition of her tremendous work for them she was awarded the very special Thanks Badge.

 Her other love was gardening. Her plot was in Downs Road and she would grow flowers especially for the ladies of the Parish’s flower arranging. She would go every day to tend her plot. She would often be seen pushing her wicker basket on wheels between Blacklands Drive and Downs Road with all her produce! She gave up the allotment when she was 90 and only when it was forced on her – one fall too many!

In her later life she mainly attended early morning communion on a Sunday, always sitting in her favourite pew.

For a small woman she had a steely resolve and quiet determination.

She had a service to commemorate her life at Blacklands Church on 23rd July 2013, the hymns All things Bright and Beautiful, Psalm 23 and Lord of Hopefulness were sung this was followed by a family cremation.

She will be greatly missed by her family but many of her traits will live on in all of them!

Say not in grief “she is no more” but live in thankfulness that she was.

Dear Jean,

Would you kindly convey our sincere thanks to all those of the Blacklands community who helped to make Mum’s funeral service so special.

We greatly appreciated their involvement before the service, as well as during it; especially in the preparations of St. Andrews chapel.

On a personal note to you, Jean- thank you for your help and support.

 Is it possible for you to pass on the enclosed note to John please.

Sincerely

Ruth Strott.   (Joan’s Daughter).