Joan Stirling It is sad to report that Joan Stirling passed away last week at the age of 87 and I am sure that those of you who knew Joan will wish us to pass on our condolences to her family. Joan had a life long association with roller skating having joined the National Skating Association (the forerunner of FARS) back in 1942 and enjoyed continuous membership until her death. Her test qualifications were Gold Figures & Free, Gold Dance and Gold Pairs. She also achieved Prelim Dance on ice. Joan had a great deal of success representing Great Britain in both Senior European and World Championships where she gained Silver and Bronze medals in Figures and Free Skating. She also skated Pairs with her husband Don, who was World Champion in Free Skating for 5 years. In 1962 she won the British Professional Skating Championship. Joan became a National Judge qualified to gold standard in Dance, Pairs and Figures & Free skating and has judged in the UK for approximately 60 years judging round the country at many club events as well as FARS events, a wonderful record and one we should all applaud. Joan was the Honorary Regional Officer for the North West Region of the UK for 15 years and has looked after all the areas of responsibility that comes with that role, including arranging National Training Days on behalf of the Federation in various locations. Joan remained active until the end and will be fondly remembered. The sport has lost one of it’s most endearing characters. The Trustees & President F.A.R.S. |
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