JAMES Bouverie-Brine was reminded of the support he has in his 100th year from all of his children during his wife’s funeral yesterday.

Joan Bouverie-Brine MBE died on January 10 at the age of 94 and her life, which she devoted to military charities, politics, drama and her family, was remembered at Christ Church.

In a service orchestrated by another Swindon MBE, Margaret Williams, tributes to Joan were led by her eldest daughter, Marie.

Joan had spent her final 10 years in Old Town alongside her husband, 99-year-old James, who had a distinguished military career and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.

The MBE was awarded to Joan on Valentine’s Day in 1991, as she was recognised for 25 years of voluntary work with military charities SSAFA and Royal British Legion.

Joan was also a significant presence within the Conservative Party around Wiltshire throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

She was the mother of six children across two marriages, but spent most of her life with James, to whom she was married for 67 years as they lived in various locations across the world.

Marie said her mother’s toughest period was coping with the loss of her son, Christopher.

“The hardest time for them was the loss of Christopher in 2007 to cancer. All of us will always miss him and I remember his last words being: ‘look after mummy,’” she said.

Marie said Joan’s later years were tough, as her health deteriorated, but staff at her care home had done their best to make life easier for her.

“Losing her voice and being unable to speak was so hard for her and us,” said Marie.

“It seemed hardest when she could understand us but remained unable to communicate.

“The staff at Kings Court were so good in caring for mummy.

“She tried to cram so much into her life and couldn’t always give us her undivided attention, but she was a mother to everyone she ever met.

“She was always so proud of what her children achieved and we were proud to be seen with her.

“She was always the most keen to organise family parties and could always be seen celebrating something with a glass of champagne when she got the chance.

“We are all going to miss her beyond belief, and so is daddy.

“They were the most devoted couple and fortunately he knows we children are all here to support him to the best of our ability in his 100th year.”