THE first female mayor of Ferndown, who spent more than two eventful decades living across Africa, has died at the age of 98.

Joan Howard, who twice served the town as mayor in the 1980s and 1990s, was heavily involved in voluntary work in the area – becoming a life member of the east Dorset branch of the National Trust for her work with the organisation.

Living in various African countries from 1952 until 1973 with her husband Adrian, Joan experienced the Mau Mau Uprising and turmoil in the Belgian Congo first hand before the couple retired to Ferndown.

Joan was born in 1920 in Paignton, Devon and as a child regularly moved around due to her father’s work as a manager for WHSmith.

When the Second World War broke out, Joan served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force from 1942, following a spell volunteering at the Theatre Royal in Bournemouth and before marrying at St Peter’s Church in Bournemouth on May 6, 1944 and having two children, Julian and Liz.

Her husband’s work with British American Tobacco took Joan first to Kenya and later to countries including Tanzania, the Belgian Congo and Nigeria.

Her time in Africa coincided with a tumultuous period of decolonisation across the continent leading her to witness some of the most infamous events in its history closer than most.

Their arrival in Kenya coincided with the beginning of the Mau Mau Uprising, during which time dozens of Europeans were killed.

Work commitments later saw the family move to Dar Es Salaam – then the capital of Tanzania – before relocating to the Belgian Congo.

While there, the country was going through the process of gaining independence, something which later spread into widespread violence with European and Americans a particular target.

It was during her time in Africa when Joan’s passion for volunteering grew with spells working with the Red Cross and as a teacher.

In 1973, Adrian retired, and the family settled into their home in Ferndown.

Here, Joan joined Ferndown Town Council before becoming its first female mayor in May 1987 and serving for a second time in 1993.

During her time on the council, she was a big supporter of the RNLI an interest brought about partly after one of her grandsons developed an interest in sailing.

She was also a big supporter of the work of the National Trust in east Dorset.

Joan continued as a councillor until 2007 when she stepped down following minor health issues.

Lesley Dedman, the current mayor of Christchurch and a former mayor of Ferndown who worked closely with Joan on the town council, said: “Joan had worked for the community for many years when I came to live in Ferndown in 2005, and her knowledge of the area and her good sense as to what and what was not possible in the town was invaluable to me as I started out firstly as a Friend of Ferndown Common and then as a councillor.

“Joan was always open to new ideas, but also realistic as to when things were not likely to work.

“She had a way of seeing a problem from all sides and showing one possibilities one had not thought of.

“Joan had a dry sense of humour, and a very kind and welcoming nature, the sort of person who always greeted visitors with a cup of tea before getting down to brass tacks.

“She would never hesitate to tell you when she felt you had got it wrong (she and I had several of those talks in my early days on Ferndown Town Council) but once you had been told, Joan would support you to all comers.

“Joan was a source of advice and help to many people in Ferndown, and I know will be remembered with fondness.”

Joan died at home on Monday, June 4.

Her funeral was held at St Mary’s Church in Ferndown on Tuesday, June 19.