Joan Winifred Lillian Kemp - In Memory Of Life Funerals

Joan's Life Story

Born

10 October 1926

Passed

4 February 2025

Lived In

Selsdon

On Sunday the 10th of October 1926 Joan was welcomed into the world in the Battersea area of London by her proud parents, Henry William Kemp and Lily Kemp nee’ Dixon. Later, Joan did have a brother, Billy but very sadly he passed away aged just six months old. In 1933, the family moved out to South Harrow in Middx. Here Joan continued her schooling, developing an interest in art and especially enjoying her ballet classes. She completed her education at the Harrow Art College. Once old enough she took on a role in the RAF during the last year of the war as an artist drawing maps for the war effort. When the war was over she began her career as a commercial artist, with her first job at a company called British Wax Wrappings in Wembley. During this time, her baby brother Martin come on the scene and Joan moved into the Harrow YWCA, where she made some great friends, especially the lady in charge, Miss Ross, who mentored Joan in the many amateur dramatic productions they put on. 1955 saw the beginning of the most important period in Joan’s art career, working in the Marks and Spencer’s studio at their head office in Baker Street, designing posters and labels and advertisements. Here Joan made life-long friends, and became a favourite of Lord Marks who took a shine to Joan as when he needed a birthday or Christmas card she was always able to create something beautiful for him. Joan continued her involvement in amateur dramatics, appearing in productions at M&S and elsewhere, playing roles such as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Ernest. Her brother remembers watching her play Mrs Pepys in “And So To Bed” at the Rudolph Steiner Theatre in London. Joan also had another passion that overtook her interest in art, and that was dancing. This became her life and she began teaching, eventually teaming up the “The Love of Her Life”, Teddy Atkinson, running their dance school together. The school was well recognised, doing a lot of work for the BBC and appearing in shows that they produced. There was one other passion that Joan enjoyed and that was singing. At one time she was a member of a Madrigal Choir which performed at venues throughout the UK, including a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Joan has lived a full and wonderful life. Unbelievably, she kept her dancing school right up until she was around the age of 95, mentoring her loyal high level pupils. And as her mobility began to be a problem, she was supported by her neighbours in the little “Spur” that she loved. Throughout this time her neighbour Barry and his partner Lindy, looked after Joan in every way, enabling her to manage in her own home, taking in hot meals, doing her shopping, sorting her bills and eventually helping to organise carers for her and having her home adapted to suit her needs The family would like to thank them for all the help that they have given. They will be eternally grateful. But very sadly on the 4^th February at the fantastic age of 98 Joan passed away peacefully in her sleep and pain free. Joan was simply an amazing lady and she will never be forgotten especially by those who she loved the most her family.

Joan Kemp

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