The BRADSHAW Family

Obituary - Mrs Joan Bigg

Joan Bigg worked for the Family Planning Association for nearly twenty years, from the time she became secretary of the Twickenham clinic until she retired last year.

She was, although it would never have occurred to her, very important to the family planning movement. Her close friends recognised that her work in the clinic was far more than a gesture of social service in what would otherwise have been her free time; it was, apart from her family life, her major interest, and she developed it characteristically.

She had the great essential of a good initiator - she put her own convenience second after whatever demands the work was making, and she did it quietly because that was the way her philosophy worked.

She joined the NEC in 1961 as representative of the South East Federation and served on the Finance sub-committee from 1961 until she retired from national committee work in 1971. She was Associate Treasurer, and Sir Robin Brook Treasurer, at a time when the Association's finances were extremely complicated, yet earned from him the phrase 'always conscientious, methodical and competent'.

Although she gave generous service on various national committees, including the National Council, her heart and head were most happily concerned with all that went on at Twickenham clinic, and by extension at the clinic level all over the country. Her colleagues remember particularly the way she cared: she cared for the feelings of others with unusual insight and sensibility. She was one of the first to help initiate special sessions for young people for marital difficulties.

As an advisory visitor she preferred to praise, but she could blame when necessary, and although she was a wonderful listener, she expressed her own views clearly when they were called for.

Joan's attitude to life stood her in good stead when she knew that she faced the end of her days. She could tell her friends steadily that her illness was terminal, and she tried to spare us the distress which her own suffering might cause. She accepted simply the prospect she could not change, gave her love to us all and died in peace, leaving a legacy of grace and strength under pressure we shall always remember.

JM