Happy Birthday to our most Senior Volunteer, Joan Key

Happy Birthday to our most Senior Volunteer, Joan Key, who celebrated her 100th birthday on the 21st November 2025.

While our longest serving volunteers were definitely those people who initially started up the League, namely Marie & Cecil Leighton, Pam Goldring and Don & Louise Wyman, Daphne Joan Key, known as Joan was certainly the oldest.

Joan started volunteering in one capacity or another after her husband died in 2004.

She joined King George Hospital as a volunteer for the hospital charity on their information desk and also the League as a volunteer before many of the existing volunteers joined.

She revelled in being a part of the team and dealing with the public and would always stand in if an extra pair of hands was needed. She was an integral and very valued member of our committee.

Like everyone else, our League of Friends was forced to close at COVID and we are still trying to reopen. I know that Joan sorely missed serving in the shop and couldn't wait for it to re-open.

On the 21st November 2025, many of her friends helped her to celebrate her 100th birthday at a lunch arranged by her daughter at a local hostelry.

Whilst Joan was not one to draw attention to herself as she preferred to just get on with the job in hand, we were delighted to be able to present her with a special photo album reminding her of her special day when she was, for once, the centre of attention.

Post Script for Joan

After an enjoyable birthday celebration and a lovely Christmas away with her daughter, Joan sadly died on the 10th January 2026 after a short illness, still dreaming of the time when she can get behind that counter again.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work Joan.