| Location | Manchester |
| Age | 82 years |
| Cause of Death | Blood Clot |
| Date of Birth | 14/03/1926 |
| Date of Death | 22/08/2008 |
| Visitors | 535 since 11/10/2008 |
| Creator |
Joan Forshaw, as she was then, was born to Adam and Jean Forshaw on Sunday 14th March 1926 in Gorton. She was one of four children, her siblings being Irene, Marjorie and the late Arthur.
Marjorie is here with us today. Irene emigrated to Australia on the £10 passage and, ironically, is boarding a plane back to the UK today in a pre-planned trip to come and see her family.
As a young woman Joan played her part in the war effort. She spent time working in a munitions factory and then enrolled in the WRAF based in Wilmslow. By the time she left the WRAF, she was a Leading Aircraft Woman. Only now, following her passing, have some of her family discovered this…….Joan didn’t like to talk about herself and what she had achieved in her life. What other people had achieved was far more important to her.
After the war, Joan started her own family and had four children. She had three boys – Jeff, Steve and Keith before finally getting a girl, Carol. Her sons were devoted to her. Carol, as the only girl, developed a special bond with her ‘Mam’ that came from being one of only two women in a house full of men. They, along with Marj, were best friends, shopping buddies and chatterers to the end.
Joan and her husband of 49 years, Arnold, raised the children in a loving, caring and supportive family home. They made sure that all their children now carry wonderful happy memories of their childhoods. Whether from the annual visit to Butlins at Skegness or Pwllheli, their Sunday days out in Lyme Park and Belle Vue or just from the time they all spent together as a family in their home enjoying being in each others’ company and experiencing the events that families share together.
Throughout her life Joan always worked. Working in a school was ideal for Joan. She could be there when her family needed her and she could spend her days dealing with children who, to her, were always a joy. She began working in the kitchens at various local schools before spending the last 15 years of her working life as the school cook at St Clements. Those who worked with her there have described her as ‘a lovely lady’ and ‘a great boss’. None of them have had a bad word to say about their ‘Mrs L’ which is what they always called her.
She retired at 65 years old. If it were left to her she would probably have gone on even longer. She loved and was committed to her job> There can be very few people who continue to prepare a school dinner whilst having a heart attack. But that’s exactly what she did; she had to be forced to seek medical attention as she didn’t want to cause a fuss.
Following her retirement she was able to spend more time with her family and, especially, her grandchildren. Joan had nine grandchildren - Helen, Andrew, Steven, Vicky, Jeanette, Peter, Kim, Kevin and Emma. Each of them is devastated at losing their ‘Nana’. Emma was lucky enough to live and work nearby and she saw her Nana everyday. They became extremely close and Joan’s passing has left a huge void in Emma’s life.
Joan was lucky enough to live to see the arrival of great grandchildren. She took as much pleasure in them as she had in her own children and her grandchildren before them.
Joan was a truly lovely woman. Her husband, Arnold, has described her as an ‘ideal’ and ‘perfect’ wife.
She was a true ‘lady’. She always wanted to look neat and tidy. She could lose sleep over her hair needing a trim or a perm – not through vanity but rather through a pride in her appearance.
She didn’t like coarse language, innuendo or rudeness of any sort. You would always get a ‘please’ and a ‘thank you’ from Joan for even the smallest thing.
There are so many words and phrases that can be used to describe Joan. Supportive, loving, generous, selfless, funny (whether she meant to be or not), caring, committed, organised, hard working, non-judgemental……the list goes on. Yet the one sentence that can be used to sum her up seems inadequate in its simplicity:
‘She was a good woman’
Her passing will be felt amongst family and friends alike - especially her old and dearest friend Irene Cunningham. They have been through all life’s events together and kept in touch with each other until the end.
There will never be another Joan Littlewood. To those who knew her she was unique and if anyone can become half the person she was they can be rightfully proud of themselves.
Hiya nana, its Mia's 1st birthday tomorrow and we really wish you could be there.Were going to do her a little party at your house like we normally do for Chloe,it just wont be the same without you there though and you should see Mia shes not just walking shes running haha.Chloe is still really good with her and they really are so funny together.I know your watching them an laughing at the funny smile that Mia does,i just wish you were here so i could see you saying "Oh they make my heart burst" love you so much xxxx
With love from us both x
Little did we know that morning
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
you are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am a diamond glint of snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star shine at night.
Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there...
I did not die.
in your sad los at this time
i dont now how words i can say make your pain go away in your hearts will never go away your memories will linger on your love will never forgotten and the memories will be there to cherish all long thegood times will ways be there now she is your gurdian to watch over u
Poem read at Joan's funeral
You can shed tears that she is gone by Anon
You can shed a tear that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the loved you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she has gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would have wanted….
Smile…..open your eyes…..love…..and go on.
To your special family xxxxx
I'm right here in your Heart
When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see.
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled
with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
the way you did today, While thinking of the many
things we didn't get to say, I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you. And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand. That an angel came and called my
name and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready
In Heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind, All those
things I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye,
For all of life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for, So much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you, and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, that that could never be,
For emptiness and memories, Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of Worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, From his great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you.
Today your life on Earth is past, But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last, and since each day's the same day,
There's no longing for the past. But you have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true, Though there were times you did some
things, you know you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven, And now at last you're free,
So won't you take my hand And share My life with Me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me,
I'm right here in your Heart
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