By Alesha Capone
The Wyndham community is mourning the loss of long-time Werribee residents John and Joan Foote.
The husband and wife, who were both aged 88, passed away last month.
John and Joan, who were married at St Andrews Catholic Church in Werribee, were well-known to many people in the local area.
Members of the Foote family have lived in Werribee for more than 100 years, and John was one of seven children.
Both he and his younger brother Terry were born at Werribee Park.
Their family’s house was located in Watton Street, where Bruno’s Deli is now located.
John attended St Andrews Primary School and played football for the INF Football Club in the Werribee District Football League.
John was also the gardener at the old Werribee Hospital, where his roses were the centrepiece and he would hand-deliver freshly cut roses to patients.
He then became the gardener at Mackillop College until his retirement.
Joan was the register at Werribee Secondary College and went on to work for the education department until her retirement.
Both John and Joan were active in the community. Even after his retirement, John spent many years pruning roses and mowing naturestrips for many residents, while Joan was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, a cultural women’s organisation.
John and Joan are survived by their two daughters Jan and Maree, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren
Maree said: “John and Joan were wonderful parents and family was the most important part of their life.
“They loved spending time with their family and friends and encouraged everyone to enjoy life to the fullest.”
Wyndham councillor, Heather Marcus, paid tribute to John and Joan in a Facebook post last month.
In the post, Cr Marcus wrote that John and Joan would “be remembered with love and appreciation”.
Cr Marcus described John as “a fantastic person, always happy and making other people happy in this city.”
Other people, who commented on the post, wrote that John and Joan were “a beautiful couple”, “lovely people” and “gems of our society”.
