Joyce Burgess née Washington was a whirlwind tour de force and a tirelessly energetic Saggitarian woman with unmoveable strength of mind, unstoppable determination of purpose and a 'dig your heels in' admirable stubbornness never to suffer fools. I know this because, as her youngest son, I am exactly like her. She had a big heart only tempered by her upbringing of ultra-strict discipline with a complete disregard of love or affection from her ice-cold disciplinarian Victorian mother, necessary frugality, due to the times, and post-war austerity. I cannot speak for others, including my elder brother Francis, named after my father, but she simply never let me down and was always there for me. A worthy adversary over a thousand and more disagreements and, as I got older and more accomplished at debate and manipulation, fearsome arguments. She is painfully missed by me but has never left my side. Some achievement, as having a scientific, inquiring mind, I am a self-confessed atheist. However, almost all I am today I owe to my Mother and I honour her with absolute humility and deference...Philip (For memories of my father, please visit Francis.Burgess.muchloved.com)