The family and friends of a "hard working, caring and cheeky lady” known to her grandchildren as “chip shop nanny” has paid tribute to her.
Joan Child-Stanbridge became a popular face along the Norfolk coast and carried her noticeable Yorkshire accent wherever she went.
Born in Huddersfield, she was the daughter of Stanley Mapplebeck, a television electrician, and Angela Hazelwood-Mapplebeck. She had two brothers; Raymond (deceased) and David.
The family later moved to Halifax, Leeds and then North Ferriby where she recalled watching the Humber Bridge being built.
Following school, she worked in a factory as a secretary and trained at weekends to be a hairdresser. At weekends she enjoyed going to dances.
She met her future husband, Peter Child, on a double date and they married in Leeds in 1958.
Together they had five children; Andrew (deceased), Annette, Stuart, Richard and Hazel. She had seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The couple moved to Caister during the 1960s where they worked with Jimmy Jones at the Pleasure Beach in Great Yarmouth.
In the 1980s, they took on Horsford Fish Bar before relocating to Yorkshire, where they ran another fish shop.
Retirement brought them back to Norfolk, where they made many happy memories with their two dogs. Mr Child died before his retirement.
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Following her husband’s death, she joined the Nolans group and danced the night away at various sheltered housing social dances.
Her regular dance partner, David, eventually asked her on a date and ham, egg and chips at a Sainsbury’s cafe was the start of a romance that led to marriage.
The couple both acquired even larger families, including David’s daughter, grandson and several step-children.
They led a very active social life, from swimming every Wednesday to dancing at the Stallion in Norwich weekly.
Mrs Child-Stanbridge was also known for fundraising for the charity Guide Dogs. It was a cause close to her heart as her first husband had a visual impairment, as did her son and daughter.
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Her family said: “She was a happy and vibrant person, with a passion for colour – especially yellow. She even owned a yellow car.
“She loved to look glamourous and would never be without her lipstick, earrings, necklace and neck scarves, flaunting her painted toenails and looking amazing."
Two years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer.
Determined to enjoy life, her and David spent a sunny week in Great Yarmouth on holiday where she rode the Big Wheel twice and brought home a knitted beach hut souvenir.
“She was known for paddling wherever she went and had a love of ice cream," her family added.
“She also loved a family get-together, playing and spoiling her great-grandchildren.
“She was the life and soul and loved a strong Yorkshire Tea and cake, a Babycham, or Snowball to celebrate with cocktail cherries.
“She was also a lover of ginger nut biscuits and had a sweet tooth, with liquorice allsorts being a favourite. She also liked fruit cake with cheese and insisted it was a Yorkshire custom.
"She made the best Yorkshire puddings and loved cooking her own meals.
“She was also a lucky lady, winning many local raffles.
“Joan remained determined, happy and most certainly cheeky. She was a loving, caring lady, never forgetting a birthday card or biscuits for the refuse collectors.”
Mrs Child-Stanbridge, of Aylsham, died at home on Sunday, March 26. She was 87 years old.
A funeral will take place on Friday, April 14 at 2pm at Cromer Crematorium. The family have requested that colourful attire is worn. Donations in her memory to Guide Dogs via justgiving.com/fundraising/norwich-guide-dogs4.
- To read all of the EDP obituaries and tributes click here.
- To pay tribute to a loved one, email norfolkobituaries@newsquest.co.uk
- To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.
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