Joan Margaret Cahill of Bassingbourn has died at the age of 86. She was born in Kneesworth, and married Don Cahill, and they lived in Kneesworth, Litlington and Bassingbourn. Her husband died 16 years ago. They had four children, three daughters and one

Joan Margaret Cahill of Bassingbourn has died at the age of 86.

She was born in Kneesworth, and married Don Cahill, and they lived in Kneesworth, Litlington and Bassingbourn.

Her husband died 16 years ago.

They had four children, three daughters and one son, 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Joan was the eldest in her family. She had three brothers and three sisters.

She devoted all her life to her family, and she knew everybody in the village, where she had attended the village school.

Always active, she loved watching TV, particularly any of the sports programmes and quizzes.

A proud lady, she refused to use a walking stick, even although she was in a great deal of pain.

She was a stickler for time and hated being late for anything.

She was strong and quite forceful, but also very kind and generous, and with a heart of gold.

During her early years she was a cook at Shell-Mex in Royston.