Thank you Joan for your continued Service and dedication to the Church over many years. We look forward to continuing to share music and fellowship with you.
With love from your friends at St Francis’
Joan often said “Oh you don’t want a picture of me” We found a few and presented Joan with an album of her activities over many years, together with flowers. The congregation shared cake with Joan after the service
Message from Jim “Joan has been the most loyal, skilful and brilliant musician, enriching the life of our church – also playing for the ballet classes and at Rede Hall. It is hard to thank her adequately for all her skills and we must hope that she will continue to enrich St Francis for many more years to come.”
Psalm 100:2 Worship the Lord with all gladness; come into his presence with song
Jo Emmerson says “In particular when Daniel was little, Joan always made a special effort to have chat, share a smile or a loving wave which honestly meant so much to a frazzled mum. Those simple actions really made me feel part of a wider church family.”
Diana writes - A few years ago, when Joan and Brian both attended the Bible Studies at Jim Williamson’s house, they discovered that they had both been evacuated to Nottingham during the war. Although they never met there, they often chatted about their time in Nottingham.
Penny tells us - Early days, when her son Jamie was in Sunday School and we needed a pianist I asked the children if their parents could play piano. 3 hands went up and as Joan always brought Jamie along I invited her to play for us.
Message from Jan, Lewiston School of Ballet I will always remember the first time I met Joan in 1983 she put her head round the church doors connecting to the hall, as I was setting up for classes. She introduced herself and told me she played the piano. It was fate as my previous pianist wanted to step back. Joan started playing for my classes almost immediately, we never looked back. She’s been an inspiration to me and my pupils ever since.
Tara and Paul say they have so many happy memories of Joan. Two that come to mind are how kind and welcoming Joan was to the family when they joined St Francis Church, and very lovely with Julia and James who joined the Choir. They also remember Joan’s granddaughter saying that Joan was a “recycled teenager” as Joan was so active, playing tennis and very busy, this made them all laugh! The family send their love to you Joan from Staffordshire
Sue writes the family met Joan through church and ballet. Joan is very knowledgeable, having studied music and learned to play the organ and piano at School, honing her marvellous skills. She has such enthusiasm and shares her gifts and knowledge willingly, has been very supportive of all the children in the choir, encouraging them, always with a smile. Thank you Joan, for being a good friend, enhancing our worship to sing our praises to God.
Vivienne got to know Joan when her daughter Claire was little. Joan used to let Claire sit next to her at the organ. Then granddaughter Isobel used to do the same. Vivienne, Claire and Isabel have very happy memories.
Jo Wright’s message - Joan, I always loved chatting to you about Rede Hall, when I was Headmistress there, and hearing of all your years of teaching at the school. We have been blessed at church to have you playing so beautifully for so long.
Roger and Mary say “Teaching Philip the piano to Grade 4 says it all. Truly a miracle worker, much loved and cherished”.
