John Challen (10 Dec 1937 - 9 Oct 2023)

In loving memory of John Challen who went to be with his Lord and Saviour on 9th October 2023, aged 85.

Born in Marylebone on December 10th 1937, John lived through World War 2. During this time, he moved to Thornton Heath, very near Croydon.

Growing up in the Elim Church, with his Dad as an elder, John gave his life to Jesus as an 8 year old. He looked after his mother who was diagnosed with polio when he was just 10, as she became wheelchair bound.

John did his National Service in the RAF and spent his career working in the banking industry. He started at Barclays in Pall Mall, spent 3 years in Canada with Toronto Dominion Bank and ended his career in the city of London at the Den Norske Credit Bank.

John had a rich bass singing voice and was a member of choirs and quartets . Singing remained a passion throughout his life.

He and his first wife, Pauline, had 2 sons, Mark and Philip. John nursed Pauline through breast cancer until she went to be with the Lord in 1977.

Having known of Margaret for a few years, being at the same church in East London, she and John got together on a church holiday in Newquay (the story is an amazing miracle - ask Margaret!) and married in 1979. Their daughter, Debbie arrived in 1982.

Due to ill health, John retired early from work and took on a voluntary role as bursar, governor and on the Board of Directors at a Christian independent school near to where he lived in Forest Gate. This role continued until the late 1990s.

Margaret's Mum lived in Southampton and in 2002, she and John moved down to the south coast to be nearer to her.

John served as treasurer and helped with church finances in the churches they were part of.

Sadly at the end of 2022, John's health had deteriorated and Margaret was no longer able to look after him at home. After a few weeks in the Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton, he moved to The Grange Nursing Home in Hedge End where they have expertise in looking after residents with dementia. Despite the difficulties this caused, John was able to join in singing some of his favourite hymns with friends who visited, as well as on Premier Christian Radio which was played in his room.