Joan Morris RIP

A TALENTED musician and dedicated teacher – Joan Morris has been an inspiration to many.

Sadly, Joan, of Ullswater Avenue, Whitehaven, passed away on February 6, at the age of 60, after bravely battling cancer.

Born in Carlisle, Joan was the only daughter of Tom and Sarah Reay. They moved to Whitehaven when she was three years old.

Joan attended Kells Infant School, Monkwray Junior School and Whitehaven Grammar School before going to Crewe to start teacher training. After training, she moved back to Whitehaven to take up a post at Hensingham Infant School, where she spent 15 years.

From there she moved to Kells Infant School in 1985 to become deputy head until she took early retirement in December 2005. In the same year she received her 35 years’ service award from Cumbria County Council.

Joan took early retirement to spend more time with her grandchildren, Sarah, Joe and Daniel, and to take care of them while her daughters, Elizabeth and Naomi, were at work. Two months later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, following treatment, she returned to Kells Infant School to do supply teaching and also to coach the choir for the local music festivals.

Joan was involved in musical theatre in Whitehaven since the early 1980s, playing bassoon in the orchestra for the Whitehaven and District Amateur Operatic Society. She moved on to the stage for Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1996 and performed on stage until 2000 when she became musical director for Calamity Jane.

Joan was musical director for 13 operatic society productions and had a pivotal role in the creation of the junior section who performed Smike and Ulysses in 2002 and 2003. She was also honorary secretary for the operatic society.

Over the past few years she had also been musical director for Workington and District Amateur Musical Society, Whitehaven Theatre Group and last summer, for the local churches’ production of The Witness.

Joan’s daughter, Elizabeth, said: “My mum stepped down from the role in September, shortly before rehearsals for The Wedding Singer (which is being performed this week and has been dedicated to the memory of Joan) were due to start, due to uncertainty about her health. She still attended a number of rehearsals to help out with the music and was on the audition panel for the show.”

Joan, who was also on the committee for Whitehaven Music Festival, will be hugely missed by the society both as a valued member and as a friend of many.

Elizabeth added: “It was only in July last year when the cancer returned, two weeks before the whole family were due to go on a special holiday to Cyprus to celebrate her 60th birthday, which was in September.

“Even though this new diagnosis was hanging over her she wanted to be sure we all had a memorable holiday, which we did!

“Nobody expected the illness to progress as quickly as it did but she remained positive and calm throughout – an inspiration to us all.”

Ken Simpson RIP

Egremont born, the young Ken was a chorister at St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church in the town and was a pupil at Bookwell and Whitehaven County Secondary School.

He studied teaching at St Luke’s College, Exeter, where he excelled in athletics and cross-country running. He joined the Navy and served for a time on HMS Victorious before taking up his first teaching post near Hull. He then moved back to his home county to teach at Calderbridge and Seascale Primary Schools and later at Bransty School where he became headmaster, serving there until his retirement in 1983.

He was a very active member of the National Union of Teachers and held various positions including president, secretary and treasurer of the West Cumberland branch and was county president and served on the County Education Committee.

Mr Simpson, of Inkerman Terrace, Whitehaven, was passionate about rugby league and was an avid Whitehaven RL supporter. He also liked cricket and travelled to Lord’s, the Oval and Headingley.

Above all he was a family man and enjoyed life with his wife Elizabeth, children David and Ann, grandson Christopher and great grandaughter Ellie. Having met Elizabeth in 1955 when he first saw her singing on stage at Kells Welfare, the couple married in 1960, leaving Ken no choice but to be roped into the local music and drama scene. He was reluctant to go on stage, preferring to stay behind the scenes, but was coerced into appearing in various productions.

He held several positions in the Whitehaven Operatic Society, including president, chairman, secretary and treasurer and only gave up his presidency when his illness became too severe to continue. A keen gardener and fruit and vegetable grower he was also a successful wine maker.

At his funeral service at St Bees Priory a recording of Elizabeth’s singing was played. His daughter, Ann, gave the eulogy, son David said a poem and grandson Christopher gave the reading. The service was conducted by the Rev David Cox.

Mr Simpson who had latterly resided at Woodlands Home, Distington, was five years ago diagnosed with dementia (Lewy bodies disease) and Parkinson’s disease.

“Ken was a lovely man, a true gentleman. He had been my rock during my own illness. We shall all miss him greatly,’’ said Mrs Simpson.