Joan Teresa Needham (3 Jun 1930 - 18 Jun 2017)

In loving memory of Joan Teresa Needham who sadly passed away on 18th June 2017
NEEDHAM
Joan Teresa
Passed away on the 18th June 2017 aged 87.Loving wife, mother and Grandma. Joan's funeral will take place at St Winefrides Church on Wednesday 5th June 2017 at 11am. Family flowers only, donations in lieu to ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY. Jack, Julie and Peter wish to thank all the staff at Charnwood Oaks Care Home for the love and support over the last 18 months, Especially on the 18th June. Dr Ghatora and staff for their continued support. Friends, family and neighbours who have supported and cared for Jack as well. All enquiries to Shepshed and District funeral services, 31a Belton street, Shepshed, LE12 9AA Telephone 01509 503234

Joan Teresa Needham

Joan was born on 3rd June 1930 at Bridge Street Shepshed 1st child to Angela & Bernard Elliott.
She attended St Winifred's Roman Catholic School Shepshed, she was a member of the children of Mary for many years and was involved in the processions from the old Catholic Church Belton Street Shepshed to this one that we are in now.
Joan went to work at a hosiery factory called Braunes where her father also worked.
Joan & Jack met in the Bull Ring Shepshed ,when Joan was 18 years of age & Jack was 17 years of age, no need to say who the boss was, Jack had come over to Shepshed with some of his mates from Loughborough. Here started the 69 years relationship between them. Jack turned a Catholic at the age of 20 so that they were both of the same religion, they married when Joan was 22 & Jack 21 at St Winifred's Catholic Church on the 27th September 1952 & would have been celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this year.

After having the children Joan returned to work at the Wolsey in Shepshed then went on to Scott Nichols in Shepshed there she stayed until retiring at the age of 70. She met princess Ann when she visited Scott Nichols, as sometimes socks were made for the Royal Family there ,she asked Joan how she managed to see the stitches as she would not be able to do it herself . Joan was still shaking when she returned home that night.

Joan enjoyed many happy holidays in Spain, Rome , Malta with Jack also Holland, Norfolk, Skegness & Devon with Jack, Julie, Peter & James. She loved to do sequence dancing Joan & Jack would go 2 to 3 times a week until Joan became ill with mixed Dementia & Alzheimer’s. Jack looked after Joan at home for nearly 4 years until the illness really took hold of Joan. She spent her last 12 months in Charnwood Oaks Care Centre, the care she received was outstanding.

Joan passed away in Jack’s arms at 9:30 on the 18th June 2017 with their daughter Julie by their sides, Peter, James, Bea & even Bobby Joan & Jacks Basset hound had all been to say their goodbyes. Joan is deeply missed by them all.