The Anglo Belarusian Society announces with sadness the passing of Joan Dzjeika on 19th January 2018.

Joan was one of the stalwarts of the Anglo-Belarusian Society, who almost always attended every session of the lecture series that were held in the 60s and 70s. Without her, there would not have been the marvellous food that she so generously supplied, and so there would have been no opportunity for the spirit of togetherness to flourish as it did after the lectures. In the 90s and into the 2000s, Joan was a quietly efficient treasurer of the Society.

Her husband Siarhiej, originally from Baranavichy in Belarus was always in attendance at lectures along with Joan. For several years he served on the Council of the Society.

Joan was born to Florence and Albert Duke on 8th August 1922 in Camberwell. She was the fourth of five children – Len, Ted, Patrick, then Joan and Gwen. Sadly, Joan was the last surviving sibling. The family were brought up in Camberwell at first and then later moved to Tottenham. Albert was a milkman with a traditional horse and cart. Continue reading →