Dunmow family remembers beloved great-grandmother Josephine

Josephine was born in Elmsett, Suffolk on August 28, 1933, and was the daughter of the village police constable.

She was one of four sisters, but life was tough for the family and at a young age Josephine and her sister Ann were placed in an orphanage in Surrey.

Josephine at her wedding to Samuel (Image: Courtesy of the Breed family) Once they left school Ann and Josephine both worked at Felsted School as domestic helpers in the dormitories.

Around this time, at the age of 15, Josephine met her future husband Samuel outside the war memorial in Great Dunmow - towards the end of his period of National Service.

Josephine's friend Nell also met her future husband Buster around this time, and he was chosen to be their best man. Both couples remained married for more than 60 years and settled in Dunmow.

Samuel used to cycle 22 miles each way along the hilly lanes from Great Dunmow to Pebmarsh every weekend after work to see Josephine.

The couple married on May 30, 1953 at Pebmarsh Church. This was around the time of the Queen's coronation so flowers were in short supply. It was a very happy time for the country and Josephine loved following the Royal Family.

Josephine with her sons (Image: Courtesy of the Breed family)

Over the next decade Josephine and Samuel had three sons - David, Peter and Paul - and each of their sons had a daughter - Amy, Chloe and Sophie.

Josephine adored her family, and was also great-grandmother to Amy's daughter Amber.

Samuel completed his National Service in Llandudno in North Wales, and happy family holidays were based there every year - travelling with the three boys in a Morris Minor with corned beef sandwiches for the journey.

For many years Josephine cleaned St Mary's Church in Great Dunmow, until her health and eyesight began to decline.

Her Christian faith was very important to her, which gave her great comfort when her husband Samuel sadly died in 2022.

According to her sons, Josephine was happiest at home baking, writing stories and rhymes, enjoying the birds in the garden and spending time with her family.

After a conversation about the outstanding bread pudding Josephine baked, the Compasses Inn at Littley Green started a bread pudding competition.

Josephine Breed (Image: Courtesy of the Breed family)

It came as no surprise to her family that in 2000 Josephine was named champion of the competition, with her original traditional recipe of just bread, milk and sultanas, which her sons described as "fantastic".

Her son Paul Breed said: "Josephine will be very sadly missed by all who knew her.

"Her cheerfulness, positive outlook and love for life and the willingness to help will be sorely missed. 

"She is now reunited with her sweetheart Samuel after being married for 69 years and being together for 74 years.

"Josephine's was a long well lived life and she peacefully passed away the day after her 91st birthday. May she now rest in peace."