Joan Mason 1922 – 2010
Mrs Joan Mason of Foxearth died in the West Suffolk Hospital on 29th April 2010. Immediately following cremation in Bury St Edmunds a service of thanksgiving for her life was held on 19th May in Foxearth Church at which many friends joined relatives to pay tribute to a well-known and loved figure in the village.
The service was conducted by a family friend, Rev. Peter Schwier and great grand daughter Gerri Lea read a poem. Joan was born in Cavendish, the third child of six. Her father worked for a local farmer but was disabled by a fall when relatively young so the children knew what it was “to have to lend a hand”. On leaving school at the age of 14 Joan worked as a cook at Pentlow Hall but when war intervened she joined the Royal Air Force in which she continued her cooking career. Before the war there was a young man called Johnny in her life ; they married in 1947 to begin farming life in Foxearth and in due course son Rob and daughter Jean arrived.
Joan was a staunch supporter of village life being a member of the WI and – eventually –a keen and active member of the Over 60s Club. All her life Joan loved cooking and for a time she worked as a cook at Foxearth School. Her other interests were gardening and travel but her family meant everything to her and she found it hard to come to terms with the loss of Johnny in 2006 and Rob’s death last year. We shall remember Joan with affection as a familiar figure in the village and as a great friend..
Family mourners at the service were:
Mrs Jean Johnson Daughter
Toby Johnson Grandson
Sophie and Glen Jolly Granddaughter and husband.
Kenneth Nice, Orchard Cottage, Foxearth Tel: 01787 375688 EADT Ref 13039Y