One of Marlow Bottom’s oldest residents has died.
Joan Smart, who lived in the village for 67 years, died peacefully at Shelbourne Lodge on Friday, July 17 at the age of 97 – 40 days before her 98th birthday.
The much-loved Joan, who had been living under the care of Shelbourne Lodge since December 2018, spent the vast majority of her life living on the Marlow Bottom farm, where she was part of local community groups.
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Her daughter-in-law, Margaret Smart, told the Bucks Free Press that Joan was a ‘lovely person’ and was ‘very popular’.
She said: “She was an important woman in my life and when pop died, I made a promise to her that I’d look after her and I feel like I’ve done that.
“She was a lovely person and was involved in a lot of things around Marlow Bottom and was very popular with people here.
Joan Smart during her land army days
“As she lived on the farm, she and Jack [her late husband], would deliver eggs to the residents who lived in Marlow Bottom every week during the 1960s.
“She was lovely.”
Joan, who was part of the land army, moved to the village in 1951.
She was a member of the local church and would regularly help people in Marlow Bottom with their needs whilst working on the farm.
Prior to her death and lockdown, many of her friends who were roughly the same age as Joan would get a taxi together and would visit her at the care home in High Wycombe.
She leaves behind two children, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Margaret continued: “She died at Shelbourne Lodge and she loved it there.
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“They played a huge part in her life and they were very good to her.
“They were her family.
“A big thank you to them and they even had someone sit with her when she passed which I think is just amazing.”
Joan’s funeral will take place at Amersham Crematorium on Thursday, August 13 and instead of flowers, guests are being asked to donate, with all the money going to Marlow Age Concern and Air Ambulance.
Due to the current coronavirus guidelines, there is a 30 person limit on those who can attend funerals.
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