When supporter Joan Dyke passed away, she died as she had lived – strong in her faith and dedicated to helping others – blessing those in need. Here, her daughter Katharine shares memories of her mum, and Joan’s guide for living well.
My mother, Joan Dyke, was a devoted wife, a wonderful mum to three daughters and a special grandma to three grandchildren. And she was an industrious and hard-working woman who was never afraid to roll up her sleeves and help whoever, whenever.
Gratitude and giving
Mum never thought about what she hadn’t done or didn’t have but rather what she did have, always feeling grateful for the small things in life like the sight of the first snowdrop in the spring: “God’s promise of new life,” she would say. Mum had a great relationship with God which was a huge part of her life, being an active member of every church which she attended. Her religious beliefs made her extremely giving and very charitable. In her latter years, she spent her time knitting hundreds of hats and jumpers for children in other countries who had nothing, knowing that “every little helps”.
She sponsored several children through World Vision, and particularly enjoyed shopping for Christmas and birthday presents for her “fourth” child and reading their school progress reports.
