Betty Back (9 Nov 1933 - 2 Apr 2019)

In loving memory of Joan Back who sadly passed away on 2nd April 2019. Joan was a beloved member of our family and in so many ways was at the centre of it. Mother of two sons (Ken and Les), grandmother to six grandchildren (Vicki, Nicola, Robert, Stevie, Sophie and Charlie) and nana to five great grandchildren (Macey, Harrison, Billy, Jeanie and Ryan). She is survived by her brother and sister in law Robert and Vivien Southwell, niece Karen and nephew Ian, two daughter in laws Lynne and Debbie and her grandson in law Sven.

She lived a full and long life. Born Betty Joan Southwell in Croydon on the 9th November, 1933 she was always known by her middle name. She met Bob Back when she was 14, when a handsome figure in a sailor's uniform joined a group of kids in Leslie Grove, Addiscombe. That night Bob told Joan that he'd marry her when she was twenty one. He didn't wait that long. On the 3rd April, 1954 they married when Joan was just twenty at the Parish Church of St Matthew. For the last twenty years of her life she was separated from her husband Bob, the love of her life. She died the night before their wedding anniversary. As a family we are comforted by the idea that Joan and Bob celebrated their sixty fifth wedding anniversary somewhere in the next life in each other's arms dancing to the Last Waltz, a record by Engelbert Humperdinck that was always played at New Year's Eve parties at the family home in New Addington. As Engelbert sings 'the Last Waltz will last forever'.

Her funeral will be held on the 30th April at Mitcham Road Crematorium at 2.30pm. Joan always had a special affinity for the vulnerable and she was deeply affected by the passing last year of Ian's son Henry Southwell who suffered from two rare genetic conditions which meant he left us far too soon. She kept a photograph of Henry by her chair always. We would like to ask that anyone who would like to make a donation in Joan's memory give to the Sebastian's Action Trust for seriously ill children. There will be a collection at the funeral but donations can be also made directly on-line https://www.sebastiansactiontrust.org/cin