Joan Francis (11 Feb 1929 - 15 Jan 2017)

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JoanRSPCA (England and Wales)

£340.00 + Gift Aid of £42.50
In partnership with

Donate in memory of
JoanSt George's Hospital Charity

£180.00 + Gift Aid of £32.50
In partnership with

Location
Randalls Park Crematorium Randalls Road Leatherhead KT22 0AG
Date
3rd Feb 2017
Time
4.15pm
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In loving memory of Joan Francis who sadly passed away on 15th January 2017

Joan Francis was born on 2nd February 1929 in Cornwall. She was the youngest of three children. Noreen, the eldest, then Les. The Niles were to become famous over the years for their bakery. Mum was always so proud of her family roots in Cornwall and loved to talk about them, especially Les.

Mum had very little when she was a child she said that she had been given a bar of chocolate for Christmas one year and was so excited to eat it, except the dog got there first! Mum loved the coast and spent many summers with Michael and the children in St Austell enjoying the Cornish beaches.

Because of her frugal childhood, she always wanted her children Alison and Paul to have the very best chance. Joan and Michael made sure Paul and Alison had everything they ever wanted from a horse for Alison, motor bike for Paul and cars for both!

Growing up, she always insisted on us having Clarks shoes as she never had new shoes, they were always hand downs.

Joan always wanted to learn how to sew professionally, but there was not choice other than being sent out to work in a chemist shop in St Austell. She always says she loved working in that chemist dispensing medicines.

When Joan and Michael got married, they moved to Surrey as there were more prospects for Michael. Alison and Paul were both born at Epsom hospital.

Joan was a incredibly hard worker, she used to work at the local bakery in Worcester Park and a factory in the evenings. Always running here and there and super proud of her home. She took great interest in her interiors and was always looking to ‘give it a lift’ as she says…She did have dad running around!

Joan used to get roped into doing Alison’s paper round so she could go and see her horses and never moaned!

When Michaels company moved to Salisbury, she used to work at a home for handicap children which she absolutely loved. Alex and Leigh, their grandchildren spent many a holiday with their grandparents playing by the local river. Those were very happy times.

Mum had extraordinary energy, she’d think nothing of cycling into Salisbury three times in one day if she forgot anything. She loved to cook and there was always freshly made cakes, scones and Cornish pasties at hand.

Mum was a beautiful compassionate lady and loved animals. This Christmas, the only programme she was interested in seeing was the Battersea dogs home programme. She used to cry at the drop of a hat if she ever heard or saw cruelty to animals, in fact, her regular charity was the RSPCA.

Instead of flowers, mum would love donations to the charities we know would have been close to her heart. Many thanks

Alison and Paul

Douglas Gilbert donated £100 in memory of Joan

To my lovely dear friend Joan God bless you.

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Sarah Davis donated in memory of Joan
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Mark Sue Olivia Natalie Frazer lit a candle
Susan Askew is attending the funeral and the reception
Roger Francis wrote

God Bless you Auntie Joan may you rest in peace

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Roger Francis wrote

God bless you Auntie Joan may you rest in peace

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Robin Chandler donated £30 in memory of Joan

Rest peacefully

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Greta Nile lit a candle
Greta Nile donated £50 in memory of Joan

Fond memories of many happy times spent together with a much loved sister- in-law. Greta Nile

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  • She loved you so much!

    Posted by Alison on 8/02/2017 Report abuse
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Lucia Luca Riccardo Pettinari Biglietti lit a candle
Deborah Jones is attending the funeral and the reception
Sarah and Kevin Davis is attending the funeral and the reception
karen gunning donated £50 in memory of Joan

sleep well my darling x

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Eunice Paxman donated £20 in memory of Joan

Happy memories

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Deborah Jones posted a picture
Dear Auntie Joan one of my favourite memories of you has got to be the legendary tea parties you used to make for us all - as you can see from the picture seven contented and happy children thanks to you Xx

Dear Auntie Joan one of my favourite memories of you has got to be the legendary tea parties you used to make for us all - as you can see from the picture seven contented and happy children thanks to you Xx

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  • Memories, loved Auntie Joan's legendary tea parties. Yes seven very happy children. Xxxx

    Posted by Susan on 28/01/2017 Report abuse
  • Love that photo, we had such wonderful memories xxxx

    Posted by Alison on 29/01/2017 Report abuse
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Deborah Jones posted a picture
Happy memories with Michael, David and Vera Francis at a works Xmas party in London x

Happy memories with Michael, David and Vera Francis at a works Xmas party in London x

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  • What a wonderful photo, such happy times! Beautiful Joan and Vera with handsome Michael and David!

    Posted by Alison on 26/01/2017 Report abuse
  • In fondest memories of dear Joan, who was a good friend you will always be in my thoughts. God saw you were getting tired so he took you home to rest. Goodnight and Rest In Peace. Love from Vera Xx

    Posted by Deborah on 26/01/2017 Report abuse
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Deborah Jones donated in memory of Joan
phil and nick gibson lit a candle
phil and nick gibson is attending the funeral and the reception
Samantha Austin wrote

My dear Great Auntie Joan such a wonderful lady who will be greatly missed. I have such happy memories staying with them in Salisbury..... feeding the ducks in the back garden being one! The Angels are lucky to have you xx

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  • Yes, she loved your visits and seeing such a beautiful family grow and flourish.xxx

    Posted by Alison on 26/01/2017 Report abuse
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Yogi Uday donated £120 in memory of Joan

Blessings from Anandi's friend Uday.

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Paul & Josie Francis lit a candle
Karen Gunning wrote

I know how mych you loved your animals lets hope these pennies help the RSPCA sleep well my darling ???

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Susan Askew lit a candle
Susan Askew donated in memory of Joan

Sweet dreams Auntie Joan, God Bless. Lovely lady, lovely memories of our childhood holidays in St.Austell. Also delicious teas that she made, when we visited at Worster Park. Xx

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  • I loved those afternoon teas, us girls used to have such a great gossip!

    Posted by Alison on 26/01/2017 Report abuse
  • Yes we did Alison lovely memories. Do you remember when Roger and I came to stay with you at Worsterpark when Sarah was born. I had the small bedroom overlooking the graveyard. I felt so brave as I was not at all frightened. Xx

    Posted by Susan on 3/02/2017 Report abuse
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Deborah Jones donated in memory of Joan
Deborah Jones lit a candle
Alison Francis donated £100 in memory of Joan

For mum, I love you. We both had a unstoppable passion for animals.

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Alison Francis posted a picture

Comments

  • Having fun at the beach in Cornwall.

    Posted by Alison on 21/01/2017 Report abuse
  • Lovely to see the old pictures and Granny Nile. Xx

    Posted by Susan on 23/01/2017 Report abuse
  • Great to see Granny Nile again. Treasured memories. Xx

    Posted by Susan on 23/01/2017 Report abuse
  • I remember us girls all sharing the back bedroom in gran and granddad Niles bungalow - Happy Days

    Posted by Deborah on 30/01/2017 Report abuse
  • Yes I remember those days well Debbie. Very happy days...............xx

    Posted by Susan on 2/02/2017 Report abuse
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Alison Francis posted a picture

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  • Mum with brother Les and sister Noreen

    Posted by Alison on 21/01/2017 Report abuse
  • What a lovely photo of the three Nile siblings xx

    Posted by Deborah on 30/01/2017 Report abuse
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