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Joan Walne

Funeral Service

Time: 11:40am

Date: Wednesday 13th August 2025

Service Details:
Joan's funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Rd, Accrington BB5 6HA


Memorial Book

Peacefully, on Sunday 27th July, at East Lancashire Hospice, Joan passed away aged 93 years.

Beloved wife of the late Eric, cherished mum to Barbara, Susan, Alison and Helen, much loved gran to Dan, Amy and Chris, and adored great-grandma, affectionately known as “Grandma Joan”  to Maisie, Amelia, Layla, Noah and Elijah. She was also a dear mother in law to Brian, Mel, Roger and Ian, and a treasured friend to many.

 Joan was born in Manchester, and at just seven years old, was evacuated in 1939 to Great Harwood, where she was lovingly welcomed by Evelyn and Jennie who became her new family along with siblings Ken, Geoff and Joyce. That wartime chapter was just the beginning of a life filled with resilience, warmth, and unwavering love for those around her.

 Joan later worked at English Electric, where she made lifelong friends and, through them, met the love of her life, Eric. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, care, and dedication to their growing family. Family meant everything to Joan.  She and Eric took great pride in raising their daughters and keeping their home a place of comfort and love.  Joan’s life was made complete when she became a grandmother and great grandmother, roles she cherished deeply and embraced with boundless love.

They enjoyed many fun days out and holidays with their children and friends, with Cleveleys and the Isle of Man holding special memories for them .  In later years, her daughters coaxed her into travelling farther afield and together they created memories they all treasured.

 To everyone who knew her, she was simply “Auntie Joan” a lady whose kindness and warmth drew people in. Her time volunteering at St Wulstan’s Roman Catholic School, especially in the nursery, brought joy to the children and adults alike. Her gentle presence and caring nature made her a natural with the little ones, and it was there she became even more known for her generous heart.  Joan’s door was always open — the kettle was always on, and her home, like her heart, welcomed all.

 She will be remembered with love, missed deeply, and cherished always by all who were lucky enough to know her. Family flowers only please, donations can be made in her memory on behalf of The East Lancashire Hospice..

Donations can be made via the ‘Make A Donation’ button on this page or please make cheques payable to East Lancashire Hospice and send to the funeral home. There will also be a donation box available at the funeral service.

  • Barry and Sonya Kilby says:

    A much loved and treasured Aunt, who will be greatly missed. Joan was so proud of her family who always surrounded her and Uncle Eric with love and respect She will always have a special place in our hearts. and remembered with fond memories.
    Barry and Sonya.

  • Sara gowers says:

    I will miss you so much, your beautiful smile our lovely chats. Always made me smile no matter what a rubbish day I had. Took me in and adopted me as your own. I will see you again love sara

  • Sara gowers says:

    Im gonna miss you so much Joan. You adopted me and made me part of your family. I am going to miss that beautiful smile, and are conversations. You made my day everytime I saw you. Sleep tight Sara xxxx

  • Kathy (Morton) Crane says:

    Fond memories growing up, where I probably spent more time at your house on Duke Street than my own! Thanks for always looking after me and taking me everywhere with you, we had some fun times. I’ll miss you Joan and will always treasure the memories. Sleep tight x

  • Jacqueline says:

    Loved Joan always had a good chat and laugh on my visits .she will be missed love Jacqueline and Bethan x

  • Alison Mcphail says:

    R.I.P. you lovely lady fly high x

  • Karen Kemp says:

    Joan, you will be sadly missed by everyone who knew you. My family always knew you as Auntie Joan and they will miss your warm generous nature. Your girls will do you proud Joan and I for one feel privileged to have known you for so many years and the time you spent creating wonderful memories for so many children from preschool.
    Rest in Peace Joan xx 💔

  • Sue Cass says:

    RIP Joan, you will be missed by everyone including me, you where such an incredible and inspirational kind lady, I had the pleasure of knowing you since I was a kid and the chats we used to have through the years. Fly high x you will never be forgotten x

  • Anonymous says:

    Lovely Joan- will miss you. 💗
    Always happy and cheerful. Ive known her all my life since being a little girl playing with her daughters.
    RIP Mrs… Walne. 😘xxxxx

  • Julian Taylor says:

    Goodbye Aunty Joan, fondly remembered. What a lovely lady, always smiling and she had a wonderful laugh. Love & condolences to Barbara, Susan, Alison and Helen, and their families from Julian and Carol

  • Marie Hartley says:

    RIP Joan you were a lovely lady. I remember passing you most days on my way to st Wulstans school were we would always have a little natter my family and I send our deepest condolences to all your family hod bless Joan x

  • Dawn, Karl and Jason says:

    RIP Joan
    We remember you from when we were children, living in George Street.
    Such a lovely lady!
    Take care of each other Barbara, Susan, Alison, Helen and families.

  • Helen says:

    Dear Mum, the most wonderful, loving mum that anyone could wish for. Thank you for everything you did for me Chris and the girls, we will all miss you so deeply. I was going to sign off by saying ‘with love from your favourite’, but I wouldn’t want to upset my amazing sisters. Instead I’ll just say, with love from your baby. You’ll be forever in our hearts 💔❤️

  • Barbara says:

    Lovely Mum.
    Words are not enough to express my gratitude and love for everything you have done for myself, Dan & Amy over the years. We will miss you so much but will remember the good times we shared.
    Not from your ‘favourite’ but ‘the first-born’
    💔

  • Chris says:

    Dear Gran, thank you so much for everything you did for me, mum and the girls. You were the best gran ever and will forever be in my heart. Maisie, Amelia and Layla have been lucky enough to have a loving great grandma and will forever hold this in memory. We love you very much, rip Gran xx

  • Nikki Crossley says:

    Such cherished memories of growing up always in and out of Duke Street. You always had a smile on your face and a welcome for everyone. Pop and crisp night on a Friday, day trips to Cleveleys, nothing was ever too much trouble for you. Rest in Peace Auntie Joan x

  • Alison says:

    Darling Mum. Thank you so much for the unconditional love and support that you gave throughout my life, and for the fantastic memories that you’ve left us all with. I’ll love and miss you forever.
    Daughter No. 3 – ‘the ginger one’ 💕

  • RosemaryWooff and family says:

    So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing or Chris’ Grandma as we always knew her when we lived on George street and our son Philip played out with Chris and other childtren on the street . They all called her Grandma, She was a lovely, kind, caring lady and we send all our love to her family x

  • Keith Emethaie Gulley says:

    On behalf of Chris’s father ( Keith)
    It’s was a honour to have known you Joan, you was always a rock to my son, your always be in my memory,.
    May you rest in perfect peace ..

  • Beryl Chippendale, Christine & Elizabeth says:

    Condolences to all the family. Joan was a lovely lady who always stopped for a chat & was so proud of you all. Remember you all living on Duke St.
    Cherish your memories xx

  • Susan says:

    Dear Mum
    Thank you for being such a loving, caring, fun & sometimes feisty mum. You gave me so much, not least three great sisters. You passed on a love of reading and jigsaw puzzles, and crosswords and quizzes which we enjoyed together many times until very recently. I cherish those times and all the memories of our wonderful holidays together. I love you so much and I will never stop missing you.
    Daughter No 2, – quite simply ‘Your’ Susan ❤️

  • Carol Hobson says:

    Thinking of you all, especially Helen at this time! Sending all my love 💔 Xx

  • Ian Crombie says:

    Rest in Peace Joan….you always made me feel very welcome within the Walne family,and I suppose i can thank you for meeting Susan in 2011.We both preferred Columbo to Strictly,I think..unlike the rest of the family..and I will never forget your cheerful chuckle..you always had a great sense of humour and even appreciated my card tricks..you are greatly missed..😥

  • Marie and Stephen says:

    Lovely Auntie Joan,
    Thank you for all your kindness, understanding, patience and especially your humour!
    You have always been a major part of my life, and took Stephen, Joseph and Luke under your wing as well.
    The Dignan family always held you and Uncle Eric in such high regard. You have both left an amazing legacy in your four amazing daughters, and we hope to always be part of their lives.
    We will miss you, but have many many special memories.

    With Love

    Marie and Stephen

  • Pam lambert says:

    So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing I met Joan when I was 18 worked with her in a care home she was always so kind and lovely to everyone and taught me lots in my younger days R.I P. Joan .

  • Katherine (formerly taylor) Atherley says:

    Goodbye Auntie Joan. Find memories of visiting you and your girls. Feels like you’ve been around for ever, you will be missed.

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