A MUCH-loved Warrington Wolves stalwart will pay a final visit to the Halliwell Jones Stadium before her funeral.

Joan Wells, who dedicated decades of service to the Wire and raised more than a quarter of a million pounds for the club, died last month aged 87.

Warrington Guardian:

The beloved great-grandma’s family have now announced details of her funeral, which will take place on Friday, May 20.

A service will be held at Newchurch Parish Church in Culcheth at 11am, followed by a procession through the village and past the Sainsbury’s store where she worked into her 70s from 11.30am onwards.

Joan’s cortege will then stop at the Halliwell Jones Stadium at around 12pm, with Wolves fans and well-wishers encouraged to line the route outside and applaud.

This will be followed by a service at Walton Lea Crematorium at 12.40pm and a wake at Culcheth Village Club from 1.45pm, which all are welcome to attend.

Attendees are invited to wear primrose and blue colours in homage to her passion for the Wire.

Warrington Guardian:

Donations to the Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation and Warrington Hospital’s neonatal unit are requested in lieu of flowers, with collections being held on the day and in the club shop.

Joan was a familiar face on matchdays at the HJ and Wilderspool and was perhaps best known for selling raffle tickets in and around the ground.

A well-known member of the Culcheth community, she had not attended games since the start of the pandemic.

Her health declined after a fall in December, and she died in St Mary’s Care Centre in Burtonwood – where she spent the final two weeks of her life – on Thursday, April 21.

Daughter Sharon Willis told the Warrington Guardian: “She just loved the people, whether it was the staff in the office or meeting all the fans. She would talk to anyone, no matter whether they were one year old or 90 years old.

Warrington Guardian:

Sharon with her mum

“We’ve had fans from all different clubs saying how they would buy a ticket off her, and wouldn’t buy one off anyone else.

“She liked spending time with her family and she loved gardening.

“During lockdown, she was planting bulbs outside Culcheth Library to brighten the village up. She would do anything for anyone, absolutely anything.”

Joan’s voluntary efforts also extended to the likes of St Rocco’s Hospice and knitting cardigans and hats for babies on the hospital’s neonatal unit in the club shop.

Originally from Thatto Heath, she and her late husband first moved to Culcheth in 1969 due to the latter’s employment at HMP Risley.

Wolves also paid tribute following her death, saying in a statement that her ‘sharp sense of humour and lively personality made her loved by all’.