"I am Candice Codrai from Simon’s Town school. I was privileged to have taught with Joan from 2011 when she joined us at Simon’s Town.

However, this was not my first encounter with Joan. It was when I was still a young teacher and she ran a workshop at Muizenburg Primary as a lead teacher.  My goodness, did she scare me! Over the next few years, I met her at a foundation phase workshop and meeting and I realized that she was not really scary and she was quite a character, extremely knowledgeable about foundation phase teaching, but also a lovely person with a good sense of humour.

When she started with us, we had an immediate connection. Not sure if it was our shared love of smoking, but it ultimately grew into a friendship. Over the years she was a mentor to me. Giving me support and advice, especially when I became the HOD. Joan had so much experience as a HOD that having her by my side made it easier.

Her passion for teaching came naturally. That’s why even at her age she could not stop tutoring and teaching children. It was very sad when COVID hit in 2020 and we had to see her leave but if it was up to Joan she would have stayed. Co-mobilities, age or whatever. She was a fighter and would have forced and overcome any obstacle that came her way.

During her time with us, there was never a dull moment. Always having something funny to say.  At staff meetings, if Joan didn’t agree, she would quietly mumble something under her breath before raising her hand up and giving her opinion. Which was always valid and came from wisdom and experience. She contributed so much to our school. The Nativity plays, sports days and prize givings. She organized and we followed. We let her guide us and she knew what she was doing. Her energy in arranging cultural dances and songs which she choreographed, showed moves and rhythm at her age, put our younger educators to shame.

Through God’s grace, Joan met Marion who volunteered at our school from the United States of America. Her friendship with Marion allowed Joan to be blessed with the opportunity to go over to the states; Florida on a cruise ship and many other places. Joan was fortunate to have had those lovely experiences.

A little while back Joan told me that she had received many blessings in her life. She got to teach overseas and travel, which she said many people don’t get the opportunity to do.

She also loved her family very much.

I will never forget when I used to bring her leftover food for lunch and she always said, “You white people don’t like to eat”. In my house, there is never anything left over. We had many good times. I will never forget how she arrived for our high tea fundraiser on the 3rd of November 2019 on her birthday. She wore a fabulous tree outfit with leaves all over and a headdress to match. She came in style, modelling and dancing, making an entrance that only Joan knew how.

We were fortunate this year to have her back with us when she substituted for Mrs. Oliver, who went off on maternity leave for the 2nd term. Joan was back on form after COVID with more energy than ever. She was not absent once during the term. Arriving at 7 o’clock in the morning and leaving only after 3. The staff that knew Mrs. Orgill was so happy to have her back with us. I am so happy that she got the opportunity to come back to us and do what she always loved doing. Teaching.

Joan was one in a million and I will treasure our friendship and love for one another forever. She was looking forward to coming back again at the end of this term to substitute for another teacher who was going off on maternity leave. Thus, it is with great pleasure to say that an Orgill will be taking up this position. It will be her granddaughter, Gabby Orgill who has shown the same dedication and love for our children at Simon’s Town School. Joan’s legacy will continue to live on through Gabby and her other granddaughters who have chosen to follow the path of education.

Joan was an asset to our school and will be deeply missed. She was like a second mother to me. She was always there for me and I was always there to help whenever she needed it, no matter what.

I love you Joan and I will always treasure our moments together. May you rest in blissful peace with your husband, Gabby."