Pakenham Village Tributes : Joanne Edgar

Joanne Edgar

TributeJoanne was born on the Howard Estate in Bury, the first child of Rex and Valerie Bird. Joanne was the eldest of Rex and Val's three children having two younger twin brothers Michael and Philip. The family soon moved to Pakenham, where Val's mum and dad already lived. Joanne attended Pakenham Primary School and then onto Ixworth Middle School and finally to Thurston Upper School. It was whilst at Thurston that she met her best friend Julie, who was to remain her best friend for the rest of her life and together they had much fun and mischief especially when they worked in a local factory together.

Tony, her husband to be, was also at Thurston School looking very cool on his moped and it was love at first sight. Joanne and Tony set up home together living at Moreton Hall, they soon had two daughters Kelly and Zoe and Joanne and Tony were married in 1991 in Bury. Joanne and Tony were delighted to move into their first family home, a flat at The Owell in Pakenham. A happy time for them all and as the family grew more space was needed and so Joanne and Tony did a house swap with Joanne's mum and dad also on The Owell Estate but into a larger property.

After a few years the family moved into a bungalow in Moorland Drive, Great Barton which Tony, very much with Joanne's help, completely renovated and turned into a chalet bungalow. A splendid property which they sold to purchase another house in Fen Road Pakenham. Sadly after just two years of moving into the house at Fen Road Joanne became very ill. She undertook exhaustive treatment and made a good recovery.

Joanne loved being at home, and looking after her family and pets and she was good at it. Together she and Tony not only developed houses made of bricks and mortar, they made a strong family unit full of joy, and based on the sure foundation of their love and joy and commitment to each other. The home they made together became the place for family gatherings, a sure sign of a love that always gives a welcome.

It was not all hard work either - family holidays were wonderful. They were able to take cruises to the Caribbean amongst other places which Joanne so loved. Joanne's children were always a joy to her and she was a devoted grandmother. No doubt those children will grow up always with the love of Joanne in their hearts.

Joanne's illness once again raised its ugly head last year and she was in and out of hospital several times undergoing various treatments. Her family rallied round providing devoted care whenever it was needed and made sure when inevitably the time came Joanne was at her and Tony's home, the family home, with the people she loved, her parents, her family, her children and grandchildren and of course that boy on a moped at Thurston Upper School.

A large thank you to the Reverend Katherine Valentine from who's tribute to Joanne this has been taken.

PV&CN - March 2017