Joan Cowshell was born in 1925. She never new her biological Father and never had a close relationship with her Mother. At a young age she contracted Polio which left her disabled. She married David Prosser and was told that it was unlikely she would be able to have children. Although she experienced miscarriage and infant death she went on to have 3 Daughters and 2 Sons.
Her marriage hit a rocky patch and ended in Divorce in the 1970's. Her home in Janson Road, Stratford was damaged by fire and so she moved to a flat in St Columbus Court, Leytonstone with her youngest son.
She began working as a cleaner in the Theatre Royal , Stratford where she struck up some wonderful friendships and she worked happily there for many years. She would even on occasion take in the odd lodger when an actor working at the Theatre found themselves stuck for accomodation. I myself spent a number of years going to the Theatre with her on weekends and school holidays to help her clean and have many happy memories of these times.
Gradually over the years the effects of the Polio in childhood took there toll. Joan became weaker and walking began to be difficult. She had never let her disability hold her back and would push herself to the extremes to achieve her goals and overcome challenges. She was very strong willed and incredibly stubborn. She raised her children and took in other poeples children in times of need, looked after Granchildren, worked to support herself as a single Mother, learnt to drive and lived a full an active life despite more than her fair share of turmoil and troubles.
Around 2000/2001 her health began to deteriorate and she had to give up driving. Everday tasks became more difficult and it was decided that she would move to Southend to a Warden assisted flat. She swapped her car for a mobility scooter and began her new life by the sea.
She loved driving through the shopping centre and down to Southend Pier. She became well known by the shopkeepers and locals and despite her health problems continued to live a happy and mostly independent life.
In 2002 she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Her bowel was removed and she was fitted with a Colostamy before begining chemotherapy. The Chemo left her extremely ill and very very weak, and after giving it her best shot she decided to stop the treatment and take her chances. She was told that she could expect to live for around 18months - 2 years.
Her determination to fight the Cancer was incredible and she amazed all the doctors by carrying on as normal.
Towards the middle of 2005 about 3 years since her first diagnosis it became evident that her health was again deteriorating. She spent time in hospital and life became increasingly difficult. Her independent was slipping away as she became more reliant on home carers and family members. As the weeks went by more and more tests were carried out by the hospital and the extent of her health problems became very worrying.
By Christmas 2005 things had reached an all time low and early in January 2006 Joan was back in Hospital for about the fourth time in as many months. Her condition hit an all time low and after a lot of assesments and meetings it was decided that she would need fulltime nursing care if she were to be discharged from Hospital.
Due to the nature of her disabilities and health problems it became increasingly difficult to find a suitable care facility that offered the services required, in an enviroment that was deemed homely and inviting and in a location which was readily accessible.
Eventually we found what seemed to be the perfect location for her and she was discharged from Hospital in February and moved to the Nursing Home. It was hoped that after a period of adjustment and regular visits from family and good quality nursing care, she would regain some of her strength and we would be able to take her shopping and out for meals etc.
Sadly things did not go as we were all hoping and her health continued to deteriorate. It was with much sadness that we had to say our last goodbyes on 11th March 2006.
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