Joan Corke - the unassuming volunteer

Joan, who was 78, had battled bravely against illness for a long period. Since giving up her home she had been cared for at Peterhouse home in Old Town, where she died on Sunday.

Joan was a life-long supporter of the League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital. In retirement she devoted herself to the role of the charity's membership secretary.

The league president writes: "Joan Corke typified the kind of selfless service from which the League of Friends of Bexhill Hospital has benefited over its 55 years.

"Joan applied herself quietly and without fuss to her task. Always a regular attender at our meetings until ill health compelled her to quit, she would deliver a faithful report of our membership situation in such an under-stated way that it would have been easy to have overlooked the meticulous work which had gone into it.

"Just as Joan had been such a familiar and popular figure behind the De La Warr Pavilion box office counter for so many years so she became a similar 'institution' at her membership table at the annual hospital garden party.

"Characteristically, she made no fuss whatever about her contribution to our team effort. But when she was forced to resign we felt her loss sorely and counted ourselves fortunate indeed to find a worthy successor.

"Naturally, we missed her for the good work which she did for the cause. But we also missed her for her good nature, one entirely devoid of 'mood' or artifice.

"With Joan it was always deeds not words '“ and always with a shy smile."

Soicitors dealing with Joan's affairs hope to confirm arrangements for her funeral shortly.