Letters to America Letters to AmericaJoan returned to her parents and her twin brother and sister in August 1945 after six years in Rochester. After such a long period, readjusting to life in Harrow was not easy. Rationing remained in force for several more years and many of the things which had seemed normal to Joan in America were no longer available or were considered luxuries. Like many others, she found that her relationship to her parents had changed because of her long absence and life in Harrow must have seemed very different to what she had become used to in Rochester.
Joan returned to school, but was placed in a class with children who were a year younger than she was. She attended Preston Manor County School where she eventually took her A levels and went on to teacher training college where she qualified as a primary school teacher.
Joan and Mervyn in 1952
Whilst at college, Joan met her future husband, Mervyn Reece, who was also training to become a teacher. They married on August 22nd, 1953 in Hatch End and soon moved to Hardingstone in Northamptonshire. They had four children (all boys) in quick succession - David, Alun, Ceri and Christopher. Mervyn taught Art and PE for several years, which involved moving house regularly. Eventually the family moved to Crowborough in East Sussex when Mervyn began a new job as PE advisor to schools in Kent. Joan was fully employed looking after the family but returned to teaching when all four boys were in school. In later years Mervyn became one of the top British amateur sports photographers, specialising particularly in athletics.
Mervyn died in April 2017. Joan is now aged 93 and is still living independently in Crowborough. Two of her sons also live in Crowborough. David lives in Germany and Ceri in Canada.