Joan Alston

“To the World you were someone, To us you were the World”  

Joan sadly passed away in the care of Leighton Hospital on 13th August 2021 aged 88 years.

The beloved wife of the late Peter.  Much loved mum of Deborah & Clive. Also a cherished nana & sister.

Joan will be fondly remembered & sadly missed by all her family & friends.

A service to celebrate Joan’s life took place on Tuesday 24th August 2021 at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 2.45pm

For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our Funeral Home on 01270 584447

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Joan Alston, an amazing lady; rightfully known as the Joan Collins of Crewe, full on
glam, she wouldn’t dream of hanging the washing out unless her makeup was
perfect, her nails were done and her hair immaculate!
The beautiful Joan Alston, straight off the front cover of vogue, she was tastefully
dressed and extremely stylish with an array of bold, blingy jewellery; a petite lady,
Joan rarely weighed more than seven stone and she claimed to be 5’2” but maybe
that’s because she stood proud and loud! In reality, she only came up to her
daughter’s chin!
Joan had a massive personality; a lovely lady full of fun and boundless energy, she
was often belligerent with absolutely no boundaries or filters, but she was immensely
popular. People just saw her and immediately smiled.
She was a much-loved wife to the late Pete, amazing mother to Deborah and Clive,
devoted sister to Pamela, sister-in-law to Duncan, auntie to Julie and Angela, nana
to Joey, Charlie and Hope and she had been looking forward to getting to know Ellie.
She always remained close to Charlie and Hope’s dad Albie and liked to tell people
how he picked her up when she broke her knee.
Living in Broom Street for over forty years, Joan had many good friends’ neighbours,
in particular Wendy next door who went above and beyond to help and when she
visited, Joan would delight in having a chat with a customary tipple.
Joan had so many special people in her life, too many to mention in a short time, but
it would be remiss not to mention Joan’s best friend Pat, dear friends for years
almost tied at the hip, they went everywhere together especially on the train to
Chester, in M&S in fact no M&S was safe when the two of them were on the loose,
and they loved going to the Mecca Bingo with several cards and dabbers on the go.
Joan was an incredibly special lady with so many strings to her bow. Her fortitude
and strength was inspirational, her unique character was a force to be reckoned with
but she had the most beautiful soul and amazing presence. She was loved and
respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Joanne read Deb’s own tribute to her mum.
Good afternoon everyone.
For those of you who don’t know me, I am Joanne, and I am one of Deb’s oldest
school friends. I have been asked to read a piece written by Deb called “Memories
of my Mum”. We called her “The Ledge” because so many friends would say “she’s
a legend your mum!”
Recently she had been talking about being a little girl in the war, her mum washing
her hair in Timbrell Avenue when the air raid sirens went off and she had to sit in a
shelter with sopping wet hair.

Then she remembered another time, a day after the war when she returned to the
actual school in Ludford Street and was so excited to see her friends that she threw
her hat in the air and it got stuck on the light.

She enjoyed looking after her grandson Joey as a little boy, would say brum brum as
he stared out of the car window. She loved driving! Always drove, even when my
dad was alive – he was happy to navigate and nap in the passenger seat.
Since dad passed away, we have been on holidays to Benidorm several times. We
HAD to go in August because Joan liked it hot! We tried Turkey one year, but she
spent the entire time saying it’s not Benidorm though is it!
She gave me a shopping list every week but there was no need, as I knew what to
buy…. Eggs, Ryvitas, Cream cake, Biscuits and Gin! Many people have been kind
enough to share a few words since she passed, and it’s always “she was very smart”
or “oh what a glamorous lady.”
I don’t know how you sum up a lifetime when your heart is broken, so let me end with
this; Mum – a long life lived well; you fought to the end….. And before you ask
where’s my handbag, don’t worry its safe!
Night mum xx
Or Gritty as Deborah sometimes called her. When they were on the beach in
Benidorm, Joan used to say to Deborah, get hold of my hand but Deborah always
insisted she rinse them first yet no matter how many times she tried to rinse the sand
off, her hands were still gritty.
Once when Joan and Pat went to Benidorm, Deborah waited for their flight to land at
Manchester Airport, but neither of them got off the plane. Deborah telephoned the
airline and was eventually contacted by interpoll who gave Deborah the devastating
news that they hadn’t boarded the plane as one of the ladies had suffered a heart
attack and the other was understandably distressed.
Deborah was going to be flown out to Benidorm and whilst frantically trying to pack,
she got a phone call from her dear mother. “Deborah, what’s the matter with you?
The police have been knocking on our door!”
“Mother, you didn’t get the flight!” “No! she said, we decided to stay!” but then she
claimed Deborah got it wrong, but that wasn’t unusual, it was always her fault!
Joan was a sun worshipper, yet she also loved Blackpool, she enjoyed her holidays
but also had an incredibly strong work ethic, typical of her generation. Despite
working ten-hour nights, and a bad knee replacement in later years, the house was
immaculate, and she always liked to be ‘a bit mod’ with a different style of rug, a new
picture or decorative item.

Before leaving for work at 7.30 in the evening, Peter used to whisper, “don’t go!” and
just as they both retired, her beloved husband died. Being made to retire at the age
of sixty-five as well as losing the love of her life left a huge void in her life.

Some words from Joan’s dear friend Maureen
Although for a time Joan and I both worked at Radway Green, we did not meet until
we were both retired. As a Pensions Networker I went to see her on some matter,
and we became friends, and she attended a number of the Christmas lunches I arranged for Radway Green Retired Employees.

She enjoyed meeting up with her friends and colleagues from the factory.
I can tell you that she was well respected as a Quality Examiner both by her
colleagues and Quality Managers.

Now I would like to pay my personal tribute to Joan:
When a friend passes, and you are asked to say a few words at her funeral
You start thinking about the main issues,
Family, home, work and friends.
Who will share their stories and who will give some views?
Better still, you think about composing a poem
Paying tribute to the Joan you knew from seeing her at home.
She was feisty and funny and outwardly sunny.
Though she didn’t suffer fools gladly and took offence badly,
She was also kind and caring, and the first to be sharing.
Mother and Grandmother, Sister and Aunty
She dearly loved and was so very proud
Of her extended family.
After our visit to a pub or club in her locality
I often enjoyed some of Joan’s hospitality.
She made a tasty salmon sandwich
Really one of the best.
But it had to be skinless and boneless and only from M&S.
They could be washed down with a refreshing tea
But if the time was right, with a decent G &T
Sleep well dear Joan, your pain and trauma are over. Thank you

May she rest in peace