Joan WEEDEN was born in Newcross,London on 12th December 1922 to Richard and Emma WEEDEN(née CHAPMAN).

As a child she loved gymnastics, and in later life explained this for her need to have both hip joints replacing.

On August 3rd 1946, Joan married my father Dennis BRUCE at Stow Bardolph church, Norfolk. They had their wedding reception at the Town hall annexe in Downham.

They had four children, twins Kathleen and Christine were born in 1948. Tragically, Christine died at the beginning of December that same year. Cynthia was born three years later in 1951, and Sheila (me) four years after that in 1955.

Joan died on 13th July 2001 after a short stay in hospital, aged 78 years. We all thought she would live well into her 90's like the other great females in the family.It wasn't to be.

Her ashes are interred at Old Hunstanton churchyard.

How can you sum up a life on a page? I shan't even try. Those who knew and loved her will have no need.

click here for more about Joan.

Dennis BRUCE was born in October 1921 at Station Rd, West Dereham to Charles and Joyce BRUCE(née DELLOW).

He was brought up from an early age by Millie and Jack TURVEY - who had no children of their own in Bexwell Rd, Downham, Millie was Jessie's first - born child. He went to Downham Grammar School.

During the war he was in the RAF ( he worked as a radio mechanic) and served in the Middle East.

He took his own life on 11th August of that same year at the Sandringham Hotel, which has since been demolished.

He is buried in Downham Market cemetery. Click here for more about Dennis.