Joan Flannery 1928 - 2022

It is with great sadness we inform you that Joan Flannery died in UCLH hospital at 11am on Wednesday, 15th June 2022 in UCLH hospital. She slipped peacefully away leaving her son Marc and three grandsons, Nathan, Kieran and Joseph.

Joan was born a Liverpudlian in 1928 moving to London in 1948 where, among other roles, became the Landlady of the 'Three Greyhounds' Pub in Soho during the 1950’s. When Marc was born in 1960 they found themselves living in a one bedroom flat in Old Street where she had the support of wonderful friends and neighbours.

On returning to work at the GPO (now BT), Joan was soon able to move onto Golden Lane Estate, first to Hatfield House in 1969 before downsizing to Great Arthur House in 1984 when Marc left home.

Anyone who knew Joan would remember her as a fiercely determined and the driving force behind the Golden Lane Owners Association. She devoted huge amounts of her time to supporting other residents and 'taking on' the authorities as and when necessary, continuing this work into her 90s. In 2019, in recognition of her tremendous work, Joan was granted a much deserved Freedom of the City of London.

On the occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, beacons were lit throughout the UK and the Commonwealth. The original plan was for 2012 to reflect the year but in the end there were reportedly around 4,200 including one very special one for Golden Lane residents. We had our very own beacon on the podium to gather around and Joan was the unanimous choice to light it on behalf of us all.

Joan was a lover of the arts and was a highly accomplished book binder and practised calligraphy. She enjoyed nothing more than spending an evening at the opera, theatre or ballet. In more recent years, as a regular attendee of the Memory Group held here on the Estate, Joan was able to continue to enjoy live performances from the Guildhall School of Music, LSO, the Royal Albert Hall and more. She also loved watching a good game of snooker on the TV!

There is no doubt that she had a sharp wit and dry sense of humour. Marc relays the story of when her two oldest grandsons had a blaze of As and A* grades for their exam results; "Mum's comment to me was 'You know intelligence jumps a generation'!"

That's 'Our Joan' and we thank you for everything you did and strove for to make this Estate a better place for all of us to live. You will be truly missed.

[Thank you to Joan's son Marc, and her friend and neighbour, Patricia, for writing]

In accordance with Joan's wishes the funeral will be a small gathering for immediate family and very close friends. Her son Marc will be arranging a memorial gathering on the Estate for those who wish to pay their respects and say a few words.