Claire and I were privileged to get to know Joan when she, Stan and David were amongst our earliest regular customers when we took our coffee van to Belvoir Castle. It was quickly apparent to me that Belvoir had been a 'happy place' for Joan and her family for many years. She, Stan and David were also talked about to us with great affection by Ray and Tony, who'd run the cafe at the same spot previously. It made me a little humble to think that what had drawn me to Belvoir for a couple of years had had the same effect on Joan, decades earlier.

I will most remember Joan for her very down-to-earth nature but also for her spark and warmth. She could make me laugh on days when few others could. And she always took the time to ask how busy we'd been, offering a word of consolation when the answer wasn't so good, which definitely helped. Stan too was obviously a very canny businessman before retirement and offered me many words of wisdom and encouragement, often around the importance of sticking to one's principles and not being blown off course by others.

I picture Joan most surveying the view over the Vale from her seat in the car: a cigarette in one hand, a large latte in the other, and Joey the Jack Russell (a very faithful friend) on her lap. She rarely came into the coffee shop when we finally took over the building: that was Stan and David's domain, she was happier to take care of Joey and to quietly take in the comings and goings outside.

I also recall Joan telling us that she was a contemporary of Margaret Thatcher's at school in Grantham, but I won't tell you her views on the Iron Lady!.

A remarkable lady, a real fighter to the end and very much a part of Belvoir, I will miss Joan as much as I miss seeing Stan and that is considerably.