Remembering Tattingstone's Joan Kersey, who died aged 109

On Tuesday evening last week, Joan Kersey passed away, aged 109.

Joan lived for almost all her life in her childhood home in Tattingstone – but she nevertheless had an adventurous spirit, leaving Suffolk several times to see the world.

When Joan was born on February 28, 1915, the First World War was still raging. Herbert Asquith was Prime Minister, and George V was on the throne.

Since then, Joan has lived through the reigns of an incredible five monarchs, including four coronations, and 23 Prime Ministers.

Joan grew up in Tattingstone and attended Ipswich High School for Girls from the age of four.

Ipswich High School’s headteacher, Dan Browning, said: “As our oldest ‘old girl’ we were always delighted when Joan visited the school to talk about her memories of her school days.

"This was especially true when we welcomed her to a special party last year to celebrate her 108th birthday when she spoke to pupils and staff about her fond memories of IHS. We were all impressed by her memory and ability to name classmates and teachers when she looked at old school photos.

“Joan was a very important part of our IHS family, and we will miss her kindness and sense of fun.”

At 18, Joan moved to London for two years, where she attended Miss Ransomes College for “educated young ladies”.

Joan pictured on her 108th birthday, surrounded by cards and flowers. (Image: Charlotte Bond) Joan pictured with her great friend and carer, Pet Schlund-Roberts (left) and her fried of almost 50 years, Vicky Cook (centre). (Image: Charlotte Bond) Joan receiving her birthday cake from Mr Dan Browning, head at Ipswich School. (Image: Ipswich High School) Joan pictured on a visit back to Ipswich High School, shortly before her 108th birthday. (Image: Ipswich High School)

Here, Joan made three great friends, Monica, Delia and Yvonne. These friendships would last a lifetime; Joan was always a very loyal friend, who would carry friends with her throughout her life.

When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Joan helped out at the opticians business owned by her father, Henry Ernest Kersey.

After her parents passed away in 1947 and 1948, Joan began to travel the world. New Zealand and Thailand were among the counties she considered her particular favourites.

When she returned home, Joan would show slides of photographs from her travels to locals at the village hall, who would listen to her stories from these far-flung places in amazement.

For those of us at the newspaper who were lucky enough to meet Joan on her 108th and 109th birthdays, we were instantly won over by her sunny nature and her warm, friendly smile.

“She was interesting, and she was interested in others,” said Joan’s friend of nearly 50 years, Vicky Cook.

She met Joan in the baking hot summer of 1976, on a church trip with her parents.

Joan became great friends with the family and would go with them on trips to their caravan in Dunwich.

Joan holding her telegram from the King on her 109th birthday, with Vicky standing to the left and Pet to the right. (Image: Charlotte Bond) Joan charmed everyone who knew her with her sunny nature and warm, friendly smile. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Vicky recalls one such trip ten years ago, when Joan was 99. They became friendly with two fellow holidaymakers who worked as doctors, who were deeply impressed with how mobile Joan remained.

To their consternation, Joan leaned against a wall and brought a knee up to touch her nose.

Joan lived independently for almost all her life. However, her live-on carer, Pet Schlund-Roberts, became one of her closest friends.

The pair met when Joan was 106.

“We were like two sisters,” said Pet. “I was her ears, her eyes, her legs.”

When Pet drove the pair around, Joan was “better than any Satnav,” having an encyclopaedic sense of direction that never failed her.

Last year, the duo enjoyed an adventure to the south coast, which took in Brighton, Eastbourne and Bognor Regis.

Joan was also determined to maintain her mobility. When Pet suggested she aim to walk around her house twice, Joan was soon doing so three times.

“I was very, very proud of her,” said Pet.

All who knew Joan will remember her immense positivity. She enjoyed every moment of life, and found small pleasures every day, whether it was the fresh fruit she ate for breakfast or reading the East Anglian Daily Times each morning.

She mentioned to Pet recently that she wanted to practice her handwriting, so that her fingers did not become too stiff.

“I said, it’s simple, why don’t you practice when you get bored?” said Pet.

“Joan said, Bored! I never get bored.”