Joan Giovanna Partridge (3 Feb 1930 - 8 May 2016)

In loving memory of Joan Giovanna Partridge (Mum, Grandmother, Aunty who sadly passed away on 8th May 2016.)

Our Mum was born in Malta, Cospicua. There was three brothers and sisters all together, sadly her sister Pauline died some time ago. Her brother Ed is in Canada. They all grew up in Malta during the war years and I know my Mum has shared many stories about her life there. When Malta received the George Cross from England she was one of the inhabitants at that time.

She had two sons Kenneth & Kevin. Ken being the eldest shares some of his memories.

How the time flies, I can still remember when I was a little boy in Malta, playing on the roof with our next door neighbour’s kids Joey and Hilda. The times Nanu used to take me to the pictures and buy me chocolate mice with string tails at the yacht marina. The cups of Ovaltine he used to make for me when it was my bedtime, all these things are still as clear in my mind now as if it were yesterday.

Living in a tent in Alexandria Egypt, with our German shepherd dog Laddie and getting lost down the markets and then you finding me with a bunch of ragheads who threatened you if you dared to spank me.

Then it was off to jolly old England, Brighton first, then Harwich, then Westcliffe-on-Sea and then on to good old Chadwell Heath.

I was then born, apparently a miracle as our Mum was told he would never have children again. We first lived in Canning Town when Dad left the army, later we moved to Poplar and then finally East Ham. She was seamstress and used to work opposite my old Junior school. She then went to work in the city (London) in Exports and credits as a Civil Servant. We used to go on holidays back to Malta where she would see her Mum. We had a big get together one year where everyone from around the world met up and we had a great time.

My god parents also become my Nan & Grandad (Simone & Cyril). Nan was Mum's best friend and vice versa. We used to go on holiday together and have what they used to call Cake & Arse Parties. Sadly they moved on some time ago and I know Mum missed Nan.

Dad (Harry) died at a very early age (55) and Mum to the day she moved on missed him. She would talked to him every day

She then became a Grand Mother to Kyle, Tara and Leon (over time!!).

She retired at the young age of 65 to become an OAP. She then had other interests. She went to the library and joined various classes. She learnt how to send emails, Word, PowerPoint and even Access!!

Mum's passion's were the Laundrette, Lidl's Queens Road Market and the Pound Shop!!! I had to take her for shopping on Saturdays. She used to moan that I would rush her out of the house. She new almost everone in the market so it took time when we went out shopping. We got her a washing machine but she would still go to the Laundrette!!

In her latter years she joined the Newham Super Choir. She loved singing and I know she loved going to the choir learning new songs, making new friends. They sing at various venues and I sometimes used to drop her off.

She also made friends with Monica & Alan and their children Bernadette, James and Chris. They used to take her out and Mum would also go and sit with them and talk about life, the universe and everything!!

Mum was a very personal person. She didn't like to share things. We know she went through a lot of hardship when she lived in Malta during the war years. Her Mum was a strict Catholic and some of that she passed onto our Mum. She was very frugal and would always save the pennies. She didn't like waste and I remember we always had to eat everything up even if we didn't like it. Her nickname was 99% Fat Free as everything she ate had to be reduced fat!!

We had a lovely day out on her Birthday this year. We went to a pizza place in Galleons Reach and she had a Pizza and she gobbled the lot down. God in his wisdom gave her a pain free day. We had a lovely time and this will be a lasting memory for me.

Last year she had a fall and this slowed her up a bit. She missed going out to the shops, the Choir and the Laundrette!! She was just getting back to her old self when the news hit.

She was prepared for what was going to happen and all I can say how brave she was. She was in tremendous pain and in some ways I am glad she is now with my Dad. The other side, we still want our Mum.

You were loved by all, we all had good times and some not so good. Most of all you will be dearly missed by all your Family, Friends and those people that you touched with your lovely ways.

We will love you always Ken, Kevin and the Family XXX