Activist Joyce ‘stood out from the beginning’
A family friend has paid tribute Shropshire activist and retired social services boss Joyce Brand who has died.
The 86-year-old grandmother, from Ludlow, died on February 18 at Hereford Hospital from health complications including coronavirus.
Family friend of more than 50 years John Fitzgerald, formerly of Bridge Child Development Service, said Ms Brand, the mother of comedian Jo Brand stood out from the beginning.
He said her skills resulted in her rising to senior social work roles in London and East Sussex and at Shropshire Council.
Mr Fitzgerald said: "I quickly discovered that we shared similar professional values, such as a passion to see vulnerable children, young people, their families and people who struggled with their mental health receiving good quality services, and to shift the discrimination and stigma that was, and sadly still is, attached by many people to these groups.
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'She made a real difference': Ludlow health campaigner Joyce Brand dies at 86
"Joyce took the view that if we as social workers did not fight injustice from whatever quarter, we had no right to be in social work."
"She was a founding member of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Defend our NHS and campaigned on issues including against an executive home development overlooking Ludlow's St Lawrence’s Church.
"However, there are two areas of her life that are probably more important, first, a fierce loyalty to friends and colleagues down the years who, like me, consider it a privilege to have been part of her life.
"Secondly, and most importantly, there was the pride in her family, her children Jo and William and the grand-children. The death of her third child Matthew, some years ago in Germany following a complex illness brought great sadness to Joyce and the rest of the family."
Joyce is survived by her daughter, Jo Brand, 63, who rose to fame as a comedian and son Will Brand, 65. Another son Matt, who lived in Germany, passed away several years ago.
